How are we to deal with those who oppose us?

Most of us will know very little about the story of Chick-fil-A, a US restaurant and the opposition to them by the LGBT community, you can get yourself up to speed on the full story here. In short, Chick-fil-A have supported anti LGBT organizations because they are a company with traditional views on sexuality and marriage, like Jesus and the Bible he inspired.

Because we've been talking about how to witness to Jesus over the last two Sundays, the story really caught my eye. Here is a real world example of how we can speak truth to those who oppose us and Jesus message, but yet still bring glory to Jesus. We're reminded to let our speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. Colossians 4:6. I've got a lot to learn from the story of Dan Cathy, the COO of Chik-fil-A who does exactly that.

Cathy is a devoted follower of Jesus and he has recently reached out to one of the people leading the charge against his company, Shane L. Windmeyer director of Campus Pride. The way that Cathy has dealt with Windmeyer  as become a powerful story of how we're called to speak with people outside of the faith, with grace and truth. It's created a powerful witness to Jesus and has built bridges towards people rather than alienating them. If only all those who follow Jesus could get this right!

Here is an excerpt from the piece Windmeyer wrote, the full article is available at The Huffington Post

Throughout the conversations Dan expressed a sincere interest in my life, wanting to get to know me on a personal level. He wanted to know about where I grew up, my faith, my family, even my husband, Tommy. In return, I learned about his wife and kids and gained an appreciation for his devout belief in Jesus Christ and his commitment to being "a follower of Christ" more than a "Christian." Dan expressed regret and genuine sadness when he heard of people being treated unkindly in the name of Chick-fil-a -- but he offered no apologies for his genuine beliefs about marriage.

Here is what Windmeyer writes as they later stand on the sidelines of a major college football event.

Instead, he stood next to me most of the night, putting respect ahead of fear. There we were on the sidelines, Dan, his wife, his family and friends and I, all enjoying the game. And that is why building a relationship with someone I thought I would never understand mattered. Our worlds, different as they can be, could coexist peacefully. The millions of college football fans watching the game never could have imagined what was playing out right in front of them. Gay and straight, liberal and conservative, activist and evangelist -- we could stand together in our difference and in our respect. How much better would our world be if more could do the same? 

May the same kinds of things be said of us as we deal truthfully and graciously with those around us who do not yet follow Jesus.

Fasting over Lent?

Lent starts today. It is a season where we allow ourselves to be carried back to the cross of Jesus and to remember all that was done on our behalf.

Lent is the season of forty days before Easter where we reflect on what Jesus gave up to serve us, and to save us and to open up to us the way to God. One of the ways we remember what Jesus did is by fasting. Jesus says to us in Matthew 6 'when we fast...' so it seems that fasting is not something we might do, and or even should do. It is instead something we will do as we follow Christ.

Of course our modern consumer culture would think it strange to give up anything. Ever. But the culture of the Bible is replete with ideas of sacrifice, emptying, losing and laying down. These ideas are sometimes practically displayed by us kneeling or bowing in worship.

It might be helpful to reflect that the point of lent then is not about us, that we might get anything out it. It is instead a season to bless and serve Jesus. Lent is a season where we put ourselves and our agendas onto the back burner. It is a season where we fast not to get anything ourselves but to give everything in worship to Jesus: lord, saviour and king!

Jesus reminds us that we are to fast without telling others. It is something done for His glory not ours and so we do it quietly and inwardly as an exercise of personal reflection and worship. Smile as you crave, grin as you hunger and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. What is our reward? To see Jesus glorified!

May this season bring to you little, but may it give much glory and worship to Jesus!