Steaming Up

This weekend brings a new opportunity, and an old anxiety. I have tickets to the Upstate Steampunk Meet and Greet Convention in Anderson. I love the aesthetics of victorian steampunk, along with the ingenuity of many of its followers. The essence of steampunk involves individuality, and style along the lines of victorian sensibilities. I have suitable attire almost ready, and relish the thought of seeing other people's outfits and creations.

The anxiety? I am, after all, an introvert. Yes, I love to engage strangers in conversation, and I love people. But crowds intimidate and drain me, and crowds of strangers in costume with great mental capabilities and possible pagan and agnostic leanings? Scary. But . . . .

I see it as a chance to meet people further out of the Bubble. To be a witness. To show that those who follow Christ can and should embrace creativity and individuality as a gift from Him. But I am still just a bit freaked out. Sigh.

Prayers appreciated. I am attending for pleasure, and maybe some business. I hope that some will appreciate my quirky art, and want to see more. I am also attending to grow, and growth can be scary.

Steam On!
Teapotjan

Teapot in a Bubble

A few days ago, I wrote about how some Christians actually pull away from unsaved people, and expect the unsaved to act like the saved. Baffling. How do these folks expect to show the love of Christ to the unsaved? From afar? With a tract? Maybe a radio broadcast? Those things may help, but the best way to share the Gospel is to share yourself as Christ did with us. 

I have lived and worked in a bubble. In that bubble, we had certain standards to follow, our own phrases and inside jokes, a distinct style to our dress, and a certain way to do things, and certain churches to attend, and on and on. Visitors that did not come from other bubbles just like ours stuck out like pins on a pincushion. Many were sure these visitors would pop the precious bubble and change life as we knew it. We were Christians, working in a Christian place, with Christian co-workers. Our Christian children went to a Christian school, and we went to meals and church with Christians. There were months at a time when I had no personal interaction with the unsaved masses. 

I know all the excuses to pull away from those unsaved masses and hide in the Bubble. Bad influence on the children; I'll be tempted to join in their sin; People will think I'm compromising, etc. I've used some of those excuses myself, and I'm repentant of that. Still, I know really sweet, amazing people who are still in the bubble and still using those excuses. Do I think life in a bubble is bad? Hold on while I pull out my pincushion---Yes, if it's the only place you ever inhabit and interact with others, yes, yes I do. PoP!

If you have received Christ as your Savior, and you are led by the Holy Spirit, and in the care of the One who created all, don't you think that He can protect you and your children while you are sharing His Gospel? Didn't He go to the unsaved, eat with publicans, and preach to the unsaved masses. Yes, that's the very reason He said He came to us. 

So, what is my point? Should we pull our children from Christian schools, get jobs outside of our bubble, and evangelize in downtown bars on Saturday night? No, not unless you feel that God is calling you to do so. We have to use common sense. However, we should fervently pray for opportunities to befriend those God puts in our way, and show that we care for them, the person, that individual, that God created. Talk to your waiter or waitress in your favorite eating place about their families, and work to remember their name. Engage those around you in line with small talk if you're not too shy. If you are shy, remember, sharing the Gospel starts with caring about others. So, find one person that you see often in a store or in your neighborhood. Befriend that one person or that one family and show them that you care about them even if they smoke, are divorced, homosexual, or whatever. You don't have to endorse their sin or lifestyle. You just need to love them enough to let them know you will help them and show them that you have a peace and grace that they don't.  That's exactly what the Bible refers to by "letting your light shine." You don't have to light a stadium full of people, just those God puts around you.

As always, there is more to say. But I'll save it for another entry. I'd appreciate any questions or comments you have. Is there something that you want me to discuss that I can ponder and prayer about writing? Let me know.

Out of the Bubble and still in His Grace!
Teapotjan