Subtlety

I've noticed something about people at MC. Not "people" as in "everyone" but "people" as in several in different classes in different subjects. Actually, it's less of people at MC and more of college-age Christians. No matter what happens, no matter what they talk or write about, it somehow turns into a very literal vision of Christ or biblical stories.

Now, there's nothing wrong with seeing Christ and the influence of your faith in everything. I do that. Every time I see or drink water, I think of Jesus because He planned it that way. 

But there's something to be said for the art of subtlety. 

I'm glad you're open and honest about your faith, but you really didn't need to turn writing about those lines on the ceiling to the Crucifixion. You don't need to get in people's faces and preach to them in every given situation. If there's one thing I think Christians need to learn, it's subtlety and timing. You can speak volumes of truth and say so much about God without recounting the New Testament. It's how you act, what you do, and how you treat other people that ultimately says the most about the God you claim to follow. And you can write, and you can be thinking of Christ when you write, but being subtle about it, to me, is always more powerful. Read some Ted Dekker. He's a master of revealing Truth and God without preaching. He shows the dark side of life and of religion and of people and the Truth is never compromised in the process. 

We are to bring redemption and truth to every facet of our lives. But for the outsider, preaching isn't going to do that most of the time. Loving them and revealing inherent truth about life and bringing hope while not shying from the sin and the reality of evil will. Be the body of Christ for them.

I'm glad you're a Christian, I'm glad you want to tell people. I'm one too. But just because we're a Christian university doesn't mean you need to turn everything into a shameless pulpit. A blind date is not something to muse about as being a grand spiritual experience (or proselytizing on said blind date); nor does all of your writing have to spell out the Bible for me. But subtle. Reveal truth. Be love. Bring redemption. 

Have answers ready for the faith that you have - when the questions get asked. Overbearing doesn't get you anywhere, especially when it comes to faith. Pounding the Bible at someone gets you no where. 

And frankly, when someone who isn't a Christian KNOWS the Bible and knows the teachings of Christ, and still rejects it, it is not ever going to help to continue to try and "save their souls". It's their choice, the ball is in their court, and if they reject Jesus, then they reject Jesus. Continue to love them regardless, as we are called  - but if anything will hurt your cause, it's pounding your Bible at them. Being love will go a lot farther.