Obviously Different

Chameleons have the capacity to disappear into their own background. This is very useful when trying to avoid being eaten by hungry predators. 

Many other animals have developed camouflage, to give them protection. The survival of their species obviously depends on not being wiped out by other animals higher up the food chain. To be obviously different from their background would be very dangerous.

There are many reports of Christians being persecuted and under pressure from their neighbours or co-citizens. This is the case in Nigeria, Pakistan, Indian, China, Sudan and many other places. 

In Britain itself, there are some commentators who are speaking of the pressures from militant atheism and secular society on ordinary Christian behaviour and values

In these difficult settings, how should Christians respond? 

Should we try to merge, chameleon-like, into our background, and appear like everyone else, or should we aim to be obviously different?

Jesus told his first disciples that should stand out - not like a sore thumb, but like lights in a dark place. ' “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.' (Matthew 5.14-16) Such behaviour, while not being explicitly Christian, may lead people to notice and ask questions.

St. Paul follows this thought, in his letter to the Philippians. ' Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.' (Philippians 2.14-15) Again, this sort of behaviour is not 'in your face' and aggressively explicit in its Christian allegiance, but it requires that Christ-followers know that we are always on show, with never a day off.

At St. Andrew's, in our desire to make a difference locally on Goldsworth Park, in the name of Jesus, we engage in several activities which we hope will point towards Jesus. 

Our Coffee Shop, providing a welcome and great food and drinks, is a great way to show that Christians are both ordinary and extra-ordinary. The Toddler Groups, Toddlers Service, and so much else that we do aims to show that being a Christ-follower is a great way to live. And so we could go on.

Tomorrow, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, our Serving Saturday activities and prayer together, aims to show that we are obviously but not awkwardly different. Please join us, if you can, so that together we can be seen as obviously different, in order to help others come to know Jesus for themselves.

Best wishes,

Richard