|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Carrying a concealed weapon |
|
Written by Ryan Showalter, director of Discipleship Ministries
|
I’m not sure how many of you are sports fans, but I am. I follow my regular teams and enjoy watching their games. Now it looks like the Philadelphia Eagles will be playing their rival, the New York Giants, without one of their star receivers from last year. Last November, according to news accounts, Plaxico Burress accidently shot himself in the leg while carrying a loaded gun in his pants. He tried to cover up the situation, but to add insult to injury, he was later arrested for carrying a concealed weapon without a permit.
 Most of us will laugh this off and say “how stupid” or make a snide remark about the level of intelligence of some professional athletes. This is particularly easy to do when the athletes are not on one of our favorite teams.
People have varying opinions when it comes to gun control laws but I believe most of us can be frustrated by people’s lack of respect for powerful weapons and the cavalier way in which they handle them. Yet all too often we are in the same boat as Burress.
I can already hear you saying … no way… I would never be caught carrying a concealed weapon. But there is a way that we are like Burress.
One of the trends in American society is to “privatize religion.” Postmoderns talk about “relative truth” - about things being true for you but not for me. Truth falls into your own private realm. My wife told me recently that her workplace just outlined 3 things not to be discussed at work: sex, politics, and religion. These 3 topics are too hotly contested to be allowed in work settings. The “private” should be kept out of the “public” setting according to this philosophy.
My friend used to remind me that American Christianity is being encouraged to “privatize” - to conceal our weapons. But Paul was a changed man who was living for an audience of One (Gal. 1:10). He didn’t conceal anything; everyone around him saw the changes God was doing in his heart by the total change in direction in his life (Gal 1:22-24). His testimony was “powerful and effective” for “tearing down strongholds.” For too long we have been the “quiet in the land” - willing to give a cup of water but concealing in whose name we give it – the name of Jesus.
While Burress was carrying a gun, believers carry a weapon too. We do not fight with the weapons of this world. Yet why do we conceal our spiritual identity?
So what are our weapons and how can we be upfront about them? We have the full armor of God but our weapons are the sword of the Spirit and the power of our testimony. I believe God is calling us to step out and be bold, to share our faith in both Word and deed.
So carry your testimony boldly. Use it to build up the body. Serve, and do it in Jesus’ name. Let people know why you are the way you are. Don’t be guilty of carrying a concealed weapon.
 |
|
|
Positions Available
Join StaffX at the Harrisburg Discipleship Center to grow spiritually and in leadership skills as you mentor and serve others. Current volunteer staff openings: Community Outreach Coordinator, Mission Mobilizer, Office Assistant, and Prayer Coordinator.
Contact Sherrie Ober if you are interested.
|
Show/Hide comments
Show/Hide comment form