Go fish!

I pretty much love South Carolina. Those of you who know me well can attest to the fact that I've been a diehard Clemson fan all my life, and that I own pretty much every piece of palm tree/crescent moon apparel that was ever stitched. I'm proud of my southern accent and southern hospitality, and I'd take an evening at Liberty Idol over a night in New York City any time. I have never lived outside of South Carolina, and if I never do, I'd be okay with that. Living in the south rocks.

Unfortunately, our ability to witness does not.

See, the problem with living in the "bible belt" is that everyone is a Christian--or at least they say they are. It's such a standard part of our upbringing that we can say "I believe in God," and most of us are never actually challenged to prove it. You live in the South, so you "were just raised that way."

When I was a kid, I went to church with my family pretty regularly. Over time, it got to be not-so-regularly. By the time I was in, say, middle school, it was never (with the exception of Easter). I still "believed in God," but I didn't feel that I needed to attend church to prove that.

Now, before I go any further, let me say that I still believe a person can be saved without being inside the walls of a church. I also believe a person can be UNsaved and spend their entire lives inside the church.

Anyway, I was out of church for a while. I wasn't reading The Bible regularly either. I still prayed sometimes...when I was desperate for something...but over all, I can't remember a single time that I ever pursued a relationship with Christ from about 10th grade until...well, about a year ago.

If you are a Christian and you've known me for at least a year, that should sting a little bit.

I am not saying that you or anyone else should have catered to my apathy. I don't believe in giving piggyback rides to salvation. Still, as Christians, we are called to be disciples, so how come so many of us go through life without ever having a hard conversation with someone that we KNOW is not following Christ? Why do we accept "I believe in God" as a salvation ticket when we know it isn't enough?

If you know someone who is not living a life that is reflective of what they say they believe, they probably don't really believe that. I can say that with authority because I've been there.

For me, it wasn't like I was saying "I believe in God" with my fingers crossed behind my back. I didn't feel like I was lying. I had been conditioned to say it and believe it. I just wasn't living it or understanding it. I guess I did believe there was a God, but so does satan.

Believing in God and having a relationship with God are not the same thing, and I did not have a relationship with God.

That has changed for me, for what it's worth, but that's not really the point. There is still a world full of apathetic Christians that aren't being reached.

Christ said "follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." (Matthew 4:19)

That passage has been weighing heavily on my heart for months.

Am I following Christ? Am I fishing?

I am challenging myself to try harder and try longer. It's not always going to be easy. It may take more than one talk. But I'm going to try anyway.

So, of course, your prayers are always appreciated, but joining me on this mission would be more appropriate.

Who do you know that doesn't live for Christ? I'm sure you can think of someone.