Living Differently
Being a part of a Fellows program is such a unique way to do life. It has been incredibly special these past few months to lean into the heart of what ‘living in community’ could and should look like. With that in mind, I have been pondering recently how we (the Greensboro Fellows in particular) might appear different in the world. In other words, how might we show up in ways that do not make sense according to the world’s standards? Or, furthermore, how can we attract nonbelievers to the beauty of the Gospel just by the way we live?
The Fellows often spend time together outside of church and classes, going to restaurants, bookstores, coffee shops, the YMCA, etc. When we do so, I frequently think to myself, “Would the people around us notice that we are Christians by the way that we ______?” In that blank could be “treat each other,” but it could also be things like “speak,” “tip,” “clean up our table,” “greet strangers,” or “listen.” I’d like to think that, by holding the door for the person behind us or having a conversation with our waitress, it becomes apparent that we care enough to show others respect. But nonbelievers can also do these things, submitting to their own morals and ethical worldview, despite not necessarily being rooted in Scripture. So, I wonder, how can we share the uniqueness of Christ’s love and unconditional grace merely through our interactions “in the world”? We are His ambassadors and called to do the work of Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit; thus, our behavior should be radically different from those around us.
I am proud and grateful for our Fellows group and the ways that we have already done this. I think of when we went to a Mexican restaurant for Hartley’s birthday and made a friend with an older man sitting at a table by himself. When we gathered around his table and listened to his stories. When the yoga class instructor said, “You all must be friends!” just by observing the way we laughed and helped each other while putting away our equipment. When we thanked the lifeguard at the YMCA pool and she said, “You guys are so much fun, it made me want to get in the pool with you,” after we asked her to be the judge for our super-intense swim races. When we paused our stroll around Washington D.C. to take photos of a family and encourage them.
I do not expect every single interaction that we have in the “outside world” to be a deep, sit-down, Jesus-sharing experience. Yet I do find that we have an opportunity in this Fellows program to strengthen one another in boldness to live out the Gospel in little moments that could make others curious, or perhaps even make them “marvel” (as Jewish leaders did at Peter and John in Acts 4 because of their healing “act of kindness.” It was clear that they “had been with Jesus”). The book of Acts gives us a great model for how disciples – simply by walking in step with the Spirit through courage and faithfulness – can add to the number of Christ followers through both their words and deeds.
Some of our Faith at Work speakers have given us great inspiration for what this idea looks like in practice at our various places of work. Bill Bishop, for example, from Grace Community Church, reminded us that “Claiming the name of Jesus in your workplace puts a target on your back.” As such, he explained, “People are watching you, and you will confirm or deny their preconceptions of what a Christian is.” This is not a scary truth but rather a good challenge that we should accept and respond to with intentionality. He suggests admitting faults and asking for forgiveness goes a long way in the workplace. In general, I feel convicted by his reminder that we are called to have our words and actions align in order to build up our moral authority.
Similarly, Janet Ward Black of Ward Black Law, quite the pillar of our Greensboro community, deeply influenced us in sharing, “I want there to be enough evidence out there to convict me of being a Christian.” Beyond just the Fellows’ recent interactions that I mentioned previously, it becomes clear that our attitudes and behaviors in outside establishments are just as important as they are in our individual workplaces. For our coworkers, clients, and even supervisors, Janet Ward reminded us, “Businesses often provide the best church for people who might not otherwise go to church.” In other words, as the famous quote goes, “You may be the only Bible someone reads.”
Lastly, as our recent sermon series at Church of the Redeemer has been discussing, we are “exiles” in this world. This means that we are called to engage (in politics, in relationships, in hardship, etc.) but in a different way. As our Fellows year continues on, I feel both excited and cautioned by the idea that others are indeed watching us, as Jesus warned, and we have a responsibility to live like Christians beyond the church. I am grateful for the seven other Fellows around me, not to mention our beloved director JD and coordinator Stahr, as well as our teachers, host families, mentors, Faith at Work speakers, etc, who sharpen us and provide such wisdom in what it looks like to live differently. As a parting question, one that I have been wrestling with daily, I invite you also to consider, “If someone were to listen to your conversations or observe how you live, would they notice the Holy Spirit in you and that you ‘ha[ve] been with Jesus?’”
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. (Colossians 4:5-6).
With love,
Victoria Moullin