3/10/13 Jack about 25
Jack
- a heavily pierced and tattooed fellow shopper at Target -answered my question
about his beliefs with a shrug - “I’m an
agnostic, so…” as if that should end of the conversation. He was surprised when I told him “Actually, I
believe that’s one of the wisest choices a person can make when it comes to
religion – admitting that you just don’t know.”
“Yeah, I think its pretty arrogant for atheists to say there absolutely
is no God, when really they just don’t know” he answered. “But I really can’t say one religion is
better than another either. They all
seem the same to me.” I asked. “Are
you an agnostic simply because you have neglected to give religion much
thought, or have you really looked into the various religions?” He said he had, so I asked if he knew much
about Christianity. “I read the Bible
when I was a kid” “The whole thing?” I
asked. “Well, it was a Children’s Story
Bible.” I had to laugh – “That’s like
when I watch that new series ‘The Bible’ on TV.
I realize they only have time for the highlights, but its frustrating to
see how much they are leaving out”, “I
can see that” Jack agreed. This started a great conversation right there
in the store, ending with Jack taking more info and thanking me for stopping
him to talk. This conversation wouldn’t
have happened if I had disagreed or criticized him initially for being an
agnostic, but I wasn’t just using dishonest flattery when I told him that
agnosticism is a wise choice. I really
believe it. Outside of God revealing
Himself to me in a very real relationship with Jesus, I wouldn’t know anything
for sure either, and I would hope that I would have had Jack’s level of
humility in admitting my ignorance of spiritual truth. Let us show that same sort of wise humility
and willingness to listen in our interactions with unbelievers, especially
early in the conversations, and we just might earn the chance to share that
very real Truth we have experienced first-hand in Jesus. “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but
grievous words stir up anger.” Proverbs
15:1
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