I never really understood proselytizing. It always seemed a little silly to me that in American to tell people about Jesus, I can’t believe that there isn’t one person in this whole country that has not heard of Jesus. Then it hit me awhile ago, when I was about to make a quick blurb at East about Free CFL.
For those of you who don’t know me I am a green nerd; there is no question about it. I drive a small car, wash my cloths in cold water, all my lights are CFLs, I hang all my clothes and don’t use my drier. In the summer I melt because I put my central air on for 1 week total. Since it is winter my house is set to 63 during the day and 60 at night. I am such a green nerd that I even blog about carbon offsetting.
I love telling people about being green. I love sharing easy little tidbits that save people money and reduce the amount of pollution they produce. Giving people out CFLs I find to be extremely rewarding. I like when people tell me they made positive changes that effect the environment because I told them about the benefits.
As I sat at East waiting to make my announcement about Free CFL is when I realized something, I am proselytizing green. That idea really caused some dissonance; I am still processing through this idea. I am so against proselytizing, I have become what I am so against.
Disclaimer: Of course there are HUGE differences between being a green nerd and a Christian and CFLs are not Jesus. Yes I also get that people proselytize to other people for a myriad of reasons and it is not as simple as I boiled it down to.
It’s really humble to challenge yourself this way. I feel like that the greater truth is always Jesus. And the Holy Spirit usually takes care of that; conversion is not my job, per se. With that said, I think that if people follow Jesus, “going green” seems to be like a typical conclusion. Though without following Jesus, going green still seems like a pretty good idea. Spreading the word about good ideas seems more relevant, and less ulterior, than spreading something much more personal.
Forgive me for not entirely understanding, but why are so many people against proselytizing? Maybe it’s usually caricatured by people who are on street corners telling everyone they are going to hell, but if by proselytizing we mean telling others verbally about who Jesus is, what he’s done on the cross and subsequently in my life, and the hope he offers to everyone, then how can we not tell others?
I know how I don’t. I’m all about being vocal about my love for Jesus until I think it might offend someone, or cause a confrontation. I’m not talking about anything direct. No, I’m talking about being at work and trying to fit in. I guess what I’m really trying to say is that if Jesus really is the pearl of great price, why wouldn’t we want to share it in a respectful way?
I don’t think everyone in the country knows who Jesus is. Many people I know think Jesus is the condemner. Some people think he’s the religious right, other people think he’s the religious left. And if we really believe he is the way, the truth, and the life, and I want to love my neighbors, how can I not tell them about Jesus? Is it because I’d be embarrased? Probably…