Taking every thought captive for obedience to Christ (2 Cor. 10.5)

Outcomes
Bearing Witness
The evangelical community in America has settled into a posture of non-evangelism that threatens to get our credentials revoked.

Simply put, though we claim to know the Lord, and to love Him and His Word, we almost never talk about Him or our faith. We are paralyzed with a kind of “witness block” that prevents us from fulfilling our calling.

This is true not only with the people we encounter each day, the folks who populate our Personal Mission Fields; it’s also true even in our church gatherings, as anyone can testify who has ever been tasked with leading a discussion or prayer group. Listen in on the conversations Christians engage in with one another. They are almost never about the Lord. And in the topics we do talk about – work, families, diversions, sports, the weather, politics – the Lord almost never factors.

Though we claim to believe that Jesus is Lord of all, we don’t talk about Him as though this were true. Our reticence in bringing up the Lord in any context calls into question the seriousness, or at least the depth, of our faith.

We are neither inclined nor trained to speak of the Lord, nor to converse about Him as though He really matters to us. This is not a condition that can be redressed merely by taking a course on evangelism. No external discipline alone will suffice to reinvigorate our witness for Christ. Unless we are meeting with Him daily, in His Word and prayer, and walking consciously in His Spirit, we won’t know or love Him with the kind of focus, joy, and enthusiasm that overflow naturally in witness to others.

The road back to a more evangelistic faith begins here, with making sure that we are growing in our relationship with the Lord. But, this being set in place and flourishing, certain outward disciplines can help to prepare and enable us to break out of our “witness block” and become more conversant about the Lord.

I will never forget a bit of advice on this subject I heard from Howard Hendricks years ago: “Make yourself an interesting person.” Interesting people, it seems to me, are informed, thoughtful, considerate, and alert. They know how to talk about many subjects, and they do so in a way that doesn’t preach, but encourages conversation. Interesting people are interested in many things, as well as in the people God puts in their path each day.

One way to work on developing an interesting persona is to take up journaling – daily jottings, musings, copying of quotes, reflections, meditations, and questions on Scripture and all kinds of things. Journaling helps to focus the mind, clarify thoughts, and strengthen memory. It leads us to pay more attention to life, to reflect on matters at a deeper level, and can enable us to ponder the significance of whatever we do in terms of our relationship with the Lord (1 Cor. 10.31).

According to Maria Konnikova, writing in The New Yorker, the discipline of journaling has proven helpful to writers for overcoming writer’s block (“How to Beat Writer’s Block,” March 11, 2016). Might it not also help believers to break through their “witness block”? Through journaling we become more aware of the world. We train our minds to receive, connect, and assemble ideas. We record important insights, precious moments, unique observations, or lessons from Scripture and life that we can return to often, giving thanks and praise to God as we do.

You don’t need to carry a bound journal with you at all times, although that’s not a bad idea. Plenty of journaling apps are available that can receive your written notes or even change your voice messages to text (my preferred is Evernote^TM, in which I’m writing this entry). And you don’t need to make lengthy entries in your journal. A phrase or thought, a brief observation, a response to something you’ve read may be enough to stimulate greater curiosity or deeper thought.

Anchor yourself daily in the Lord. Then make yourself an interesting person. Determine to journal a little bit every day, and reflect on each day’s entries at the end of the day, praying back to the Lord the observations and insights you have recorded.

The Lord can use this preparation to help you recover your mission as His witness, and to keep current your evangelical credentials.

For reflection
1.  Why do you think Christians don’t talk much about the Lord?

2.  How might you incorporate journaling into your daily time with the Lord? Do you think this would bring more focus and reflection to your time in His Word and prayer?

3.  When you do begin journaling, what are some things you’d like to record?

Try journaling for one week – you can use 3x5 cards if you don’t want to buy a small journal. See if this doesn’t help you to become more mindful of the Lord and more ready to talk about Him.

Why not start a reading group? This can be a very helpful way of becoming a more interesting person. An excellent book to use in starting a reading group is T. M.’s The Ground for Christian Ethics. It’s brief, conversational, and deals with foundational ideas relating to how we are to follow Jesus as His disciples. Order your copy by clicking here.

The Week features insights from a wide range of topics and issues, with a view to equipping the followers of Christ to take every thought captive for Jesus. Please prayerfully consider supporting The Fellowship of Ailbe by sending a gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452.