It's more fun to think great thoughts about Jesus then to actually do them. It's more fun to talk about showing concern for the poor than it is to actually go get involved at the local mission. It's more fun to talk about working with the youth than it is to start a small group and get them to focus on what you are sharing. It's more fun to talk about raising money to build a water well than it is to actually spend the time to plan, coordinate, and promote your benefit concert.
Sometimes I think we prefer talking about the radical life of Jesus rather than actually living it.
What I love about Jesus is that he never seemed to have the need to share the importance of something before he actually went out and did it. He didn't get all his disciples together for a year long training program before they began to see him mingle with the poor and the prostitute. He didn't teach them how to pray until he had modeled it for them so much that they begged him to teach it!
He lived it and then taught it. It was show and then tell.
I think our culture is crying out for Christians to be a lot more "show then tell".
I'm excited to start reading through Mark with a group of friends. (If you'd like to join with us just email me. luke@campkivu.com). Mark is one of those books that is all about action. One story after another of Jesus serving with very little explanation. As I go through the gospel of Mark, I hope to not just think great thoughts about Jesus. But to live them out in all their uncomfortableness.
Or as my good friend says, "Don't talk about it, be about it."
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