A couple weeks ago, a group of junior high girls came into the Visitor’s Center, apparently doing some type of survey their teacher had assigned.
“Are you a Philadelphia native?” They asked me.
“No, but I live here right now.”
“That works—we just have a question for you—what do you think is the biggest problem in Philadelphia?”
I started thinking, but nothing good seemed to come to mind. I assumed they wanted some type of answer along the lines of poverty, crime, lack of education, racial discrimination—or, that people are sinners and need Jesus? That’s a pretty big problem. Nah, I thought. They want to hear something to the effect of, I don’t know—homelessness.
So that’s what I said.
They said a quick thank-you and were off. I stood there embarrassed. What was I thinking—homelessness?! Where was my boldness? Why did I think they needed to hear something typical? Sure, it was a stupid little survey. But inside I was giving myself a beating because of it.
Why had I failed such a seemingly easy test? I shared Philadelphia’s biggest problem—unbelief. The Gospel enables non-confrontational people to speak offensive words, if necessary. God accepts me in Christ, so what does it matter if a few kids don’t like my answer on a survey?
The girls passed by me on their way out, so I stopped them and asked if I could change my answer. They said yes. I took their survey in my hand and wrote, “The people do not know Jesus Christ” in the blank after “Philadelphia’s biggest problem.”
They all looked down at my answer, read it aloud, and then gave a unanimous reaction.
“Aww—great, that’s good, thanks!”
Aside from the fact that they had reacted to the Gospel as if it were “cute,” my conscience was at rest.
God help me in a day when the stakes are higher than a junior high survey.
“I believe; help my unbelief!” Mark 9:24
I know that I would have answered exactly the same way you initially did. May God help all of our unbelief and timidness.
Thanks for posting this - it was definitely a real conviction to me.
Posted by: Stephen at July 10, 2005 12:59 AMThat definetly spoke to my heart as well. I do the same thing more often than I want to. I get shy and intimidated with the Gospel, and then remember how much Christ thinks of me, and that I am too shy to talk about Him. Thanks for posting that - it was a real challenge to me!
Posted by: Sarah L at July 10, 2005 04:08 PMI doubt many of us reading this couldn't relate to the experience. Thanks for the transparency and the encouragement to "change our answers" when necessary.
Posted by: jen d at July 13, 2005 09:40 AMThanks Stephen (you wrote an interesting article on Live 8), Sarah (my sister said you didn't go to camp this year either?), and Jen (Boston Commoner?).
It's strange how hearing of God's grace through our failures tends to be more encouraging to other believers than our victories.
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