I use WordPress.com as a quick and easy way to create an evangelistic website. I discovered the Daily Prompt last year. I tried it, and now it’s part of my regular routine. I’m addicted 😀. It’s fun to hear from people from all over the world and to think that some of you might read my material. But there’s nothing particularly special about my material. Over the years, I’ve met some famous people and some very gifted people. But I also met lots of ordinary people. And they’ve all had their influence on me.
Way back in the late 1970s, I used to come across evangelical preachers preaching in the streets of Cork. I liked them because they had the flavour of the New Testament about them. And they weren’t heretical or sinister cults. I wasn’t very happy in Roman Catholicism, so I wondered what it would be like to be an evangelical Christian. But I had an idealized view of them. Would someone like me fit in? But when I became an evangelical Christian, I discovered that they included all sorts of people, and soon, I was perfectly at home among them. But I’d like to have heard from more ordinary evangelical Christians in the early stages rather than from the ultra-zealous from among them.
The point I’m trying to make is that it’s good for ordinary people, whatever your faith is, to be willing to give reason for the hope that you have. That helps prevent people thinking in terms of stereotypes. I think of Peter’s words:
1 Peter 3:15
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
I do appreciate likes and subscribers. But it’s not my highest priority. I’d much prefer to point them to Jesus. Maybe it might seem a little pompous to compare myself to John the Baptist, but one of my favourite New Testament verses is a statement that he made when some of his followers were a bit peeved because people started following Jesus instead of John the Baptist.
John 3:30
30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
And when the Apostle Paul heard of different factions developing in the church at Corinth, this was his response.
1 Corinthians 1:11-13
11 My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?
Paul was troubled because they were focusing too much on aligning themselves to human leaders. And when that happens, we often end up finding fault with the rival “tribes”. Paul mentions that some say “I follow Christ”. Why does he complain about that? He isn’t complaining about people following Christ. I think that he means that some Christians categorized others as followers of denominations or humans, while seeing themselves as the true followers of Christ. But when you investigate their little faction or sect, you generally find that they’re also a faction or denomination. It’s probably inevitable that we’ll have preferences in terms of theology, movements, denominations and so on. But our chief focus should be Jesus Himself. And we should avoid a tribal mentality that sees anyone outside our own group as competitors or think the worst of other groups and never notice the shortcomings of our own groups.
So, what else should I say with respect to today’s prompt? If I wanted to build genuinely loyal subscribers, I’d need to put much more effort into my material. But there’s just so much excellent material out there that I can’t see that happening. I do include my personal testimony and personal thoughts on this site, so at least that’s unique. I suppose I could have more subscribers if I subscribed to other sites. I have subscribed to a few, but for a subscription to be meaningful, I should spend time on the site. And I have so much to read and distract me that it isn’t easy. But I think it’s nice to have a daily glance through the prompts and like them. Liking them doesn’t mean that I approve of everything that’s said. I like the fact that people across the world are communicating with each other. I do want to spend more time reading through the blogs in the coming months and years, but currently, I just tend to do so randomly.
What I like best about my posts is the YouTube videos. I had no involvement in their development, but it’s a little like me wearing my Stranglers T-Shirt back in 1979. I was pleased to identify as a fan. And now I’m a fan of hymns – though I still like the Stranglers 😀 – but more out of nostalgia.
Hibernia Gospel 