Then on the way home I was listening to a podcast (the radio in my classic ford ranger pickup doesn't work so I put one headphone from my ipod in my ear). They were telling stories of people who had lost belief in things. This one girl had lost faith in God when a friend of hers died. Through a series of funny and interesting events she ended up on the phone with a pastor/football coach. The podcast played their phone conversation as the pastor/football coach tried to share his faith.
I had told my friend earlier to remember that it's never his job to convert. All we are asked to do is "provide and answer for the hope that we have." We just put in out there, and allow the Holy Spirit to do what he will with it. A guiding principle for me in conversations of faith has been to be as transparent as possible. I don't try to sound holy or give a good answer, just the one that occurs to me.
The guy on this podcast slowly walked the girl through philosophical proofs of God, and refutations of evolution. He tried to explain to her the problem of sin, and the importance of objective truth. She got off the phone confused and frustrated. All she wanted was someone to hear her out about the loss of her friend, and help her process where God was. But instead of really listening and having a real conversation the guy loaded is barrel full of excerpts from tracts. It was pretty disheartening, and reminded me why I focus on helping people create authentic relationships; cause sharing our faith is not about proving anything it is a moment of authenticity and vulnerability...at least it otta be.
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