A Thousand Words

Previously I talked about how I could write a book on the criticism I've received throughout my life. A lot of that criticism has come from other people in my life telling me that I am doing things that do not portray the Christian image they believe I should go after. Here is a little bit about me, that some of you might not know:

Some of my best friends are not Christians. I have friends in my inner-circle who have battled issues with drugs and alcohol. Some of them still are fighting those demons. I have friends who have been affiliated with gangs and selling drugs. My favorite genre of music is hip-hop. I've experimented with different chemicals in the past. Does that make me who I am? I am a bad Christian for hanging around with drug using, misogynistic music listening people? You may have your opinions on that, but my answer is no. Whether you are or aren't a believer, it doesn't determine whether or not I will talk to them or try to build a relationship. Because you want the truth? I've learned lessons on how to be a better man, a better follower of Christ, and a better overall friend from some of my friends who have no faith backbone. Imagine that?

Now I am not celebrating the fact that they are not believers, but what I am saying is that we as a society need to stop looking at the cover and start reading the pages. There are so many layers to every single individual in this world. Also, I gotta tell you all that I don't necessarily have a heroic plan to try and convert all my friends to Christ. It definitely is a priority to discuss Jesus with my friends whenever I feel the time is right, but if they don't become believers, that's on them; and it will not make or break our friendship. So while I always seem to get some flack for what I say or what I do, I'm okay with that. I feel called to go out and be friends and build relationships with people from all walks of life. Even the people that the general society seems to villainize. So the guy who wears the un-turned baseball hat and listens to Kendrick Lamar and Kanye West is the same person who attends Church every Sunday, part of his student ministry team at school, writes poem's, and serves the community. Oh yeah, and he happens to have some pretty amazing friends. I know I'll get judged, but that's okay. Remember, I'm just a broken lamp trying letting God's light shine the way.

They say a picture is worth 1000 words, but I say those 1000 words are more important than one picture. Look past the cover, you often times will be amazed by what you'll find.

God Bless,

Andrew