Today, is the first day of school of my last semester of my undergraduate degree. Praise the Lord! The beginning of the end and it feels bittersweet to say that. If you don't know me, I attend one of the most diverse universities in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. I am proud that my university embraces ALL cultures and religions. With that being said, of course being the first day of school, every religious organization on campus is handing out pamplets. I find nothing wrong with this act except two things.
First, as a biology major, I am very mindful of the carbon imprint that EVERYTHING leaves on this world. I am not a crazy ecological guru. I am just mindful. Now, do you realize that the probability of all of those thousands of papers being handed out today are ending up on the ground cluttering the library floors, University Hall floors and parking lots. I know the intention is to share as much information as possible but somehow it has gotten lost in translation. Saving one person is not going to come from a piece of paper.
Secondly, not one organization spoke a word or any words to any person while handing out their "spiritual information". Really? After seeing this act, my curious nature decided to hang out and observe. There were approximately fifeteen organizations represented and only one was engaging conversations with the students. One out of fifeteen and that organization happened to be the Muslim organization.
I received a pamphlet that says "Who Touched Me" and discussing the story of Jesus making His way through the throngs of people surrounding Him, when He suddenly stops and asks, "Who touched me?" I know the story well. It is relevant that everyone is equal in His eyes and thru Him he cleanses us with love, mercy, and grace. What disgusts me about this pamphlet is that there is not ONE word about mercy, love or grace. If I was not a Christian, how would seeing the words that my sin has made me unclean and unworthy affect me? Or how about that I will live the rest of my life in misery in hell?
Am I off base here? As I see it, people are searching. We are searching for something to make us fill whole/complete. We are in constant search of happiness and we will hold on to ANYTHING that brings us happiness. I have to applaud the Muslim community because as least on this day, they are bringing hope to people by engaging them in conversation even if it isn't about their own religion.
To me, Christianity is not about cramming a God down someone's throat in order to save them from a world of hell. Christianity is about the actions behind the words. Words mean nothing without action.
