(It’s guest post Friday! Here’s one from Tim Stewart. You can check out his blog here. If you want to write a guest post for SCL, here’s how!)
Do you speak Christianese?
Brethren and sistren, how is your daily walk? How are your quiet times and devos? Remember that seven days without prayer makes one weak! For me, I’ve just been counting it all joy. I’m too blessed to be stressed and too anointed to be disappointed. I hope you don’t think I’m superspiritual or that I’ve arrived. After all, I’m not perfect, just forgiven. Some people have accused me of being so heavenly-minded that I am no earthly good, but have patience with me please—God’s not finished with me yet!
Why just this morning I was sending God knee-mail and getting into the Word. I was reading the red letters and making sure that the gold was in my heart and not just on the gilt edges of my Bible. I gleaned some pearls and re-read my life verse.
I’ve been feeding on the Word a lot lately because I’m looking for a helpmate to help me fill my quiver. I don’t believe in missionary dating, so I’m putting out fleeces left and right, hoping God will point me toward my helpmate.
In fact, I recently started chatting up a lovely Proverbs 31 woman in my missional community. She caught my attention one Wednesday evening because she had shared some unspokens during the popcorn prayer time. I could barely concentrate on the sword drills that followed.
I took her to St. Arbucks for some intentional hang-out time. When we spoke, it was like deep calling unto deep. It turns out we have a lot in common. We both know about ACTS and WWJD, and we’ve both kissed dating good-bye. And we’re both certain we don’t have the gift of singleness! Hallelujah! That Prayer of Jabez really works.
She said she’s a mercy person with a heart for the nations in the 10/40 window, and that she’s currently raising support for a short-term mission trip to an unreached people group. When I heard her say that, I got a check in my spirit, because I’m not sure whether I’m called to be a tent-maker or if my mission field will be my workplace. So for now we’re both guarding our hearts and putting thoughts of anything else on the altar. We both want what God has for us—all in his kairos timing, of course. In the meantime, we only exchange side-hugs for us so we don’t defraud each other or create any soul-ties.
It just goes to show how important it is to be exactly in the center of God’s will! That’s the way to earn a W.D. degree, have jewels in your crown, and someday get that extra story on your mansion in heaven. PTL!
Well that’s all for today’s update. Don’t forget! Stay salty, both in season and out of season! Share the gospel always, using words when necessary! And my personal favorite: You might be the only Bible that someone reads today! Can I get an Amen?
Now you tell us… what’s your favorite Christianese word or expression? Do you know some that are so hilarious you can’t say them without the giggles? Was there a time you had to translate someone’s Christianese into plain talk so someone could understand it? Share your Christianese-related anecdotes with us in the comments!
For more great writing from Tim, check out his blog!
