Don’t Leave Your Christianity At Home

Hotels with hot breakfasts get high marks. It was an important consideration in the decision to stay in this Santa Fe hotel a few weeks ago.

The first morning my wife and I got to the breakfast area early to facilitate an early start to exploring Old Town Santa Fe. I appreciated the effort expended to update this older hotel. Unfortunately, the space for serving breakfast had not been expanded from its original footprint as the lobby alone. The result was nice tables very close together. Unless you enjoy literally bumping into people, you better look around before you stand up.

Several choices of food were available and, after making our selections, my wife and I were ready to dig in. I sat down first to wait for my bride. Panic struck. We always pray before meals and usually one of us prays out loud. Discretion was impossible. We would be seen and no matter how softly we prayed, someone might hear us. Some might think we were trying to appear holier than thou or over the top religion pushy. Who wants that?

“Are you ashamed of me?” Jesus whispered. “Do you want to encourage other timid traveler’s to give thanks and reap the blessing that follows? Are you comfortable positively ensuring no one begins a conversation with you about your faith because there was nothing to spark it?”

What personal or kingdom blessing might be lost? No. No.

My wife sat down, we joined hands, and softly gave thanks to Jesus for the ability to be at the hotel, for the food, the opportunity to spend time together, the blessings ahead, and God’s watchful care over our family, friends, and church.

Why are so many followers of The Way frequently tempted to leave their Christianity at home? Is our inner faith and outward practices so shallow and rote we need a break from them? If we feel that way, what does it say about the validity of our faith and authenticity of our relationship with Jesus?

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Let it shine through your attitude, words, and actions. Christian faith is not just about what we do. It is who we are in relationship to the Father through faith in Jesus Christ. How can that be left behind?