Something that Weizhu commented to me on Monday stirred something in me. We were chatting about public speaking. I was telling him about an article that I read on the Net about Christians speaking in public, using very conversational topics, and how they speak effectively even to non-Christians, who enjoy listening to their speeches.
I commented to him that we can't do this kind of thing in Singapore, well, since you need to apply for a permit to speak in public, make sure you don't step on any OB-markers, etc. etc. Understandable, given all the (genuine) sensitivities and concern about possible inflammatory speech and hate rhetoric, etc. etc.
But WZ replied that you can do your own "public speaking" for God in other ways. Pointing to the poster featuring starbloggers such as Xiaxue and "Mr Brown", Joe Augustin etc., he said that if you have a blog or a website or a forum that's popular, you can be a positive influencer, even tho the content that you put there seem "secular".
Like Bono of U2 fame, when he passionately uses his music talents to shine for Christ, both in the world and in extending God's Kingdom too, rallying the churches to help out more with charity causes.
And Peter's words came back to my mind again: "Be an impact and influencer in media. Media has the power to influence people's mind. So make the most of every opportunity, whether it be blog or TV..."
We Cannot Hide Our Light. Does Anyone Turn Off A Lamp During A Blackout?
And, coincidentally, I chanced upon a book called, "The Narnian", yet another biography of C.S. Lewis. Thought of borrowing it, think Jits would like it, but not sure if it's her cup of tea. 'Cos there's a lot of books on this CS Lewis fellow and his famous Narnia books.
But what struck me, as I leafed through the book, was the writer's commentary on how CS Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia, though explicitly allegorical of Christ and Christianity at times, shines so brightly as one of the best works of children's literature, that JK Rowling, famed author of Harry Potter, said that when she picked one of the Narnia books up, she knew that it was obviously "preachy", but she didn't care, so good was the book.
So that's one big way how we, as Christ calls us, the salt of the earth, should impact today's cultures for Christ.
Talked with this about Shuyi over the phone. She agreed wholeheartedly, sharing that she was dismayed by a Christian singer, who though very popular in the media, failed to seize on the opportunity to shine for God, only giving God a passing mention ("I do quiet time...") in some small tabloid for his talent.
If The Salt Loses Its Saltiness... What Good Is It?
On the other hand, it's all too easy to become so enamoured with the worldly way of entertainment, that we get all too sucked into its values. That too is wrong.
WZ commented that Xiaxue has a large sphere of influence, but she's not a positive influence, frankly, not one of the blogs that you want your kids to learn from. (For obvious reasons lah...)
So shouldn't we aim for something much better and more encouraging than existentialist day-to-day nitpicking and bitching? Heh, I think Mr Brown's website is a better example. More solid, his site. :) Inspiring too. Even gahmen mention one leh. Got PM say in speech some more.
People will eat even rotten food, in a famine. So let's figure out what we can give.
Let Your Light Shine Before Men!
You needn't be a Project Superstar to shine for God, to be a positive influencer and inspirer. One of the core values that I captured from the "Net Safety" day event at the Orchard Library was to use the Net to positively influence others.
I'm thinking now - join me together in this - what are the talents that we have and can use to attract people?
People listened to Jesus, because of his intelligence, his stature and his powerful speech and stories. He spoke in such a way, that even the police sent to arrest him turned back and told their superiors (John 7):
Not until halfway through the Feast did Jesus go up to the temple courts and begin to teach. The Jews were amazed and asked, "How did this man get such learning without having studied?" Jesus answered, "My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me...
...The Pharisees heard the crowd whispering such things about him. Then the chief priests and the Pharisees sent temple guards to arrest him... Finally the temple guards went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, "Why didn't you bring him in?"
"No one ever spoke the way this man does," the guards declared.
Think a desire to change the world starts with a change in mindset. A mindset from, "It cannot be done - we are too small" to "It can be done - impossible is nothing!"
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