by Craig Mayes on March 29th, 2010

Well, I’ve been on blog sabbatical for a couple of months. Not sure why, but I have not felt inclined to write- which seemed like a good enough reason to take a leave of absence.

Yesterday I had coffee with a new friend. I think he is moving away from atheism, and being drawn to Jesus. Our conversation was about a great many things, but one thing he said really stuck in my mind. Some time ago he heard someone argue against Christianity by pointing out that while most Christians believe that all who do not believe in Jesus are destined to eternal hell, frankly, they don’t seem to be too concerned about it. The argument went like this: the general malaise found among Christians about the “lost” could mean one of two things. First, that they don’t really believe it themselves (or they would care more and do more). Second, they believe it but they are really uncaring and evil people because, having found their own lifeboat, they are content to sail into heaven as people around them drown.

I have heard this objection before. It is a good one. My friend stated that if someone really believed the gospel, that all outside of Jesus will perish, then the only response that would make any sense is a life shamelessly devoted to getting the word out. Many analogies have been offered. The ship is sinking and you know where the lifeboats are. How much energy would you expend in directing people to the lifeboats? You are in possession of a medicine that will cure sick people, having been cured yourself. Will you keep it to yourself? These are good, and troubling questions.

As I jumped on my bike and headed home, I felt God’s Spirit inviting me to engage in some personal introspection about this matter. Do I lose sleep over people around me who are without Christ? When was the last time that I fasted and prayed earnestly for the men and women in this city- millions of them, who do not know Jesus and his love for them? When have I agitated and fretted and wept over the masses who are outside of Jesus’ kingdom? Why is that not the number one thing that troubles me and keeps me awake at night? Why do I show more interest in (and worry about) the weather forecast and the NCCA basketball scores than I do about the eternal destiny of my neighbors, the man working in the deli around the corner, the M34 bus driver?

Here in the city, when my 20 year old daughter or 17 year old son are out late, I have trouble going to sleep. I cannot be at rest until they are safely home, away from danger. That’s a parent’s heart for their children…no rest until they are safe. That’s God’s heart. He never sleeps. Many of his children are out in the city, in the dark, in danger. He is awake, alert, vigilant, at work.

God, give me your heart. Give me the same heart that I have for my children for all your children scattered throughout this city.