I’ve noticed that many atheists spend an amazing amount of time thinking about God.
In a cult classic from the 70’s called Zen And The Art Of Motorcycle Maintenance, Robert Pirsig argues that you can identify a person’s doubts and insecurities by the topics about which they shout the loudest. His example: nobody’s running around fanatically arguing that the sun’s going to rise tomorrow morning.
I think he’s right. We have an amazing tendency to focus on issues about which we’re uncertain and an even stronger need to convince others we’re right. There’s security in numbers, and it’s a bit easier to quell those nagging doubts if we yell enough to bring others around to our position.
Talk show hosts and television preachers become wealthy by preying on our insecurities. They identify a niche message and then hammer on it loudly and repeatedly. Volume and repetition create an aura of certainty and a core group of true believers. Talented politicians, media personalities, and, unfortunately, religious leaders have followed this strategy for centuries.
I write and talk a lot about Jesus, but I consciously avoid trying to convince others to adopt my faith. I don’t believe that’s possible anyway, and it only drives people away and galvanizes their opposition. Argument is the surest method of ensuring division and disagreement. Nobody was ever debated into an intimate relationship with Christ, but guilt and intimidation have alienated many folks from His loving message.
My audience consists primarily of believers, and my central purpose is encouragement in difficult circumstances. If the Spirit uses my story and message to draw someone toward Him, that’s an eternal win. But that’s His job, not mine.
I’ve learned to be wary whenever someone tries to sell me something, whether it’s a product or a point of view, by yelling or arguing. I suspect that they’re trying to obscure uncertainty behind a cloud of bluster.
That’s not what Jesus did. He WAS The Word, and His life spoke louder than any shouted argument in history. He lived in simple humility and quiet obedience, and people flocked to Him. He simply hung out with anyone who wanted to experience His presence. He’s still doing that, and I think He wants us to follow His example.
Do you have as much difficulty as I do allowing your life to be your message?
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