I ran into an old friend the other day I hadn’t visited with for a while. He asked me a question I was so grateful he asked, because most people aren’t willing to ask – they just assume.
We were discussing having a BBQ and gathering some friends from school. No special occasion needed. Just a desire to get together and enjoy life.
He asked me if I thought people would be okay being around me at such an event because there would probably be alcohol involved and I had found “religion.”
I truly admired his boldness to ask me that question because he’s honestly one of very few who have been willing to talk about that since I became a follower of Jesus.
You get invited to a lot less things when you become a Christian. I’ve grown accustomed to it.
I responded…
If they’re uncomfortable around me, it’s their issue, not mine. I’m not religious. I love Jesus. And I love BBQ, too.
Where did Jesus spend most of his time? Not in the synagogues teaching, though that was a priority for him. No, he went where the people were. He went to the parties. He went to the BBQ’s and the mud runs and the river and…
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His first miracle was turning water into wine for the love of Pete. And the Bible doesn’t say it was Boone’s Farm. It says it was the best wine. Why this was his first miracle, I have no idea, but I can’t wait to have this conversation in heaven.
Jesus loved to be around people because that’s who He is… Love. Jesus laughed. He told jokes. Clean ones, yes, but he made people laugh. He was fully God, but fully man, too. He lived life. He just didn’t allow himself to be consumed by the world. We can do both.
I love Jesus, but I’m not dead. I love Jesus and I pray I never become religious. I pray I never become a part of something Jesus hated so much – religion. We’re all only one step away from it if we don’t keep our hearts in check.
We’re all only one step away from destruction if we don’t keep our hearts in check and our eyes fixed on a relationship with Jesus, whether we’ve been a Christian for 25 years or 3 months.
I love Jesus and I still laugh. I love Jesus and I still enjoy being around people who may not have a relationship with him. Why? Because I love people. Well.. most of them.. Jesus is still working on my heart with some of them.
I love Jesus and I laugh at poop jokes. I love Jesus and I’m going to laugh at you when you fall down. (I get it from my mother. I can’t help it.)
I love Jesus and I still love to do the Electric Slide and play the air guitar at the New Year’s Eve party.
I love Jesus and still enjoy the occasional glass of wine or beer. I might drink one at your barbecue, but I don’t plan to take it further than that because I don’t want to do anything that hinders my relationship with Jesus.
Why? Because we’re in relationship. Because Jesus is my best friend. My protector. My convictor. My Savior. My strength. The only reason I’m still here. I never want to lose sight of that. Never.
And guess what? I don’t always get this Christianity thing right. I screw up every single day. Sometimes I lose my grace too quickly with others. Sometimes I lose my temper and a cuss word flies out. Sometimes I eat through my emotions instead of dealing with my junk. Sometimes I refuse to forgive someone until the conviction eats away at me and I realize I’m only hurting myself.
When Jesus showed up at barbecues, fish fry’s, and parties, he didn’t show up with a Bible ready to send everyone to hell. Nope. He sat down, had conversation with people and they were drawn to him. Those conversations created relationship. Those conversations led to healing and deliverance and freedom.
May I never show up at your BBQ with religion in my heart. That doesn’t mean I won’t call you out if you’re acting like a total moron, because well.. have you met me? 🙂 But I hope you would do the same for me.
No… may I show up at your BBQ as me.. Sundi Jo.. That girl who loves Jesus. The one who makes people laugh. And I hope we do get the opportunity to talk about Jesus, but may I never force it.
May it be a conversation between two friends over barbecue, and perhaps a cold beer. Your choice.