Eating With Sinners

With the exception of early elementary school, I was never someone who had a whole lot of friends. I wasn't into sports, yo-yos, or Pokémon. Come middle school, I didn't go to the canteens or listen to Linkin Park. I managed to find some appreciation from the theatre crowd in high school, but I can't really say that I hung out with many of them outside of the auditorium. 

Likewise, I wasn't someone who socialized at church. I absolutely loathed the junior high ministry with its clique-ish guilt trip they tried to pull on what they referred to as, "loners". The high school ministry was much more accommodating. They gave me my space and I even went on a couple trips.  I'm far more approachable since then, but I don't go out of my way to have conversations with people in church. Which you would think, with my rather vanilla, square behavior that I would fit right in. *

Oddly enough, it was the opposite. Some of the friends I made in high school were pretty much the other direction of how I lived and believed. I made a friend my sophomore year who really loved smoking pot. Those who know me well can tell you that I hate the smell of marijuana and have never had much desire to try it. He had a passive, anti-religion outlook and he was pretty cynical and judgmental. For some reason, I found a lot of that to be hilarious. I still do. He was a very funny guy. But the big reason, the main reason, I hung with him was because his girlfriend was someone I knew for a couple of years. That was the motivation to hang around. His girlfriend was hot, so we all hung out.

My junior year arrived and I lost interest. The activities had grown monotonous and I wouldn't involve myself in their particular tastes, so I stopped hanging around after a while. There was no falling out or anything. It just kind of faded away. I got involved in theatre and found myself among a motley crew of colorful characters. Guys and gals. Liberals and conservatives. Straight and gay. Quite and loud. And yes, the very religious and the not so religious. When I was good, they loved me. I mean, really, really, loved me. I was somehow the polar opposite in that I could be very personable and charismatic in this milieu. The theatre gig followed me into graduation. 

You're probably wondering where I'm going with this. It's not an indictment of introverts or extroverts or friendships. Actually, it's a celebration of these things. More than that, it's an encouragement and acknowledgement of the opportunities that we can make use of as Christians. 

It's said that bad company corrupts good character. That's very true and I've seen friends and acquaintances taken to some dark places and, in a few cases, death. We, that is, the Body of Christ, need to have someone close to lean on and hold us accountable and we likewise do the same. It's also said that Jesus ate with sinners and tax collectors and was criticized by the religious elite. The difference is that Jesus was showing compassion toward these individuals who were living on the fringe of society. He knew that they were living sinful lives, but also that they were hated and judged without any thought of offering help. Jesus, a respectable member of society, was the only one to give friendship and tell them that they were of value. As a result, many lives were changed and contributed to the spread of Christianity. 

We need to do the same. Many among the Body of Christ have become too focused on sins and less on sinners. Homosexuality is the current pet sin in the Church. "Hate the sin, love the sinner," they say. It's trite and hypocritical. We destroy a friendship before it's even been made! Why are we so quick to highlight their sins but not our own? How often have you heard this phrase applied to, say, someone who is prone to gossip? How about rage? Hubris?  I say, "Love the sinner." That's it. I'm not affirming a person's sin, but I am showing that I'm no better.     

I think back to all the different people I've associated with and befriended in the past. To my credit, I was not someone who turned up my nose for what I recognized as being sinful. Not all the time. Rather, I found common grounds on which to relate and enjoy with them. My regret is that I was passive in my faith and I missed moments where the Lord could've used me. I'm trying my best to rectify this as an adult and be conscientious for those openings. I urge you to do the same.  

- L. Travis Hoffman

11/25/2014

* This not how I actually perceive myself or other Christians. I'm merely using a caricature for the sake of making a point. 

I'm not sure and that scares me, but I'm believing anyway.

"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." -Mark 11:24

Many a time I've read this verse and found myself disappointed. I've done it so many times. So many times. Most of the time, as far as I can recall, I've felt dejected. It's enough to make one give up. It's enough to stop trusting God for anything.

With so many occasions of heart break, you'd think I'd be advising against giving any credence to Mark 11:24 and tell you that it doesn't work. You're going to be disappointed. I'm going to tell you that it does work. Not only that, but I'm going to tell you to believe in it. 

We express our faith everyday. We have faith that we are good people. We have faith that God exists. We have faith that the sun will rise tomorrow. Why? Because there are people and events that support these things. Likewise, we have support of God's word.

Have you accepted Christ's gift of sacrifice and salvation? I have. That is the single most greatest promise Jesus has made to man and He followed through on it. What does my prayer request compare to that? My wants, meaningful or not, are absolutely nothing when put against the saving of my soul. Do I have a legitimate reason to doubt His promises?

Consider the amazing things that occur throughout the history covered within the Bible. A shepherd becomes a great king. A doubtful, yet faithful man is chosen to lead 300 men in battle against an army of at least 135,000 and manages to scare them off by playing trumpets. A Roman dedicated to exterminating Christians suddenly pulls a complete 180° and becomes one of their most devout followers. A group of blue-collar workers choose to follow Jesus, turn tail and run at the first sign of trouble, and then, inexplicably, become willing to die for Christ's teachings and spread the word across countries and continents and are the very reason I'm typing this blog right now.

I'll go ahead and tell you my request, my number one desire that I want more than anything in my life. I'd like to be married. I want to spend my life with someone who loves me and whom I can devote myself to. I even have a particular date in mind to be married (not telling). Thing is, I don't have a lot going for myself. I'm socially inept, financially dependent, and not particularly attractive. I SHOULD BE JUMPING FOR JOY!
Think about it! I'm more-or-less a person on the fringe. Not particularly wanted or unremarkable, which is exactly the type of person that God uses and blesses with great things!

I'm grateful for being all these things. I don't want to be attractive or confident because I'm left with nothing but my Christ to depend on. Do I get discouraged? Yes. Do things look nothing like I wish they were at this very moment? Absolutely. I feel overwhelmed and can't help but break down and cry sometimes, but I'm believing anyway. GOD IS BIGGER THAN YOUR PRAYERS. He has a talent for taking a sad song and making it better. It's the 180° effect. People change and circumstances change. I'm looking forward to being one of those stories that prove it. :)

-L. Travis Hoffman

11/22/2014

Side note: Feel free to help me with my prayer requests by sending prayers of your own.

 

Good, Evil, Tragedy, and the Lord

Today I stumbled upon a recent news story. Chris Picco, a new father, had to suffer not only with the death of his wife during childbirth, but also the eventual death of his newborn son, Lennon. For those three days he lived, Chris would play guitar and sing to his son. It was filmed with an intention to share it to friends and loved ones. I watched him strum and sing to his baby boy as they're separated in the NICU. It didn't hit me until several minutes after, and then I started crying for Chris Picco. I cried for this poor man as he was robbed of two people who meant the world to him. His life will never be the same.

Things like this happen every day. Disease and war and famine take the ones people cherish and bring darkness and despair into their lives. And one can't help but ask, "How could a loving God allow such things to happen? How could a loving God let a baby, a baby that's done nothing wrong, be taken from his father?"

There is an answer. Although it more often than not seems unable to alleviate our anguish. That answer is the Problem of Good.

For all the sadness to be found in the death of his wife and son, there is so much good that should be seen. What about the doctors that worked hard to save them? What about those few days that Chris Picco was able spend those precious moments with Lennon? What of those who are supporting Chris Picco as he suffers from this loss? Are there no good in these things?

I am not trying to marginalize this man's loss. This is indeed an awful, awful thing. I intend on praying for him (as I hope you, the reader, will) and have faith that he can move forward with the Holy Spirit working in him.

The significance of this tragedy has not yet been fully realized. There are so many possibilities of good that can come out of this. This video is reaching millions through youtube, touching hearts. If it motivates even one person to act, then there is good in that. Donations toward research. Awareness. The knowledge of how precious life is and how important it is to value ourselves and others. We, the body of Christ, must be the light of the world. A hope in utter despair. Christ's love through our actions. If there is great evil prevalent in this world, than the Church must overshadow it.

I conclude this with the words of Augustine.

"For the almighty God, who, as even the heathen acknowledge, has supreme power over all things, being Himself supremely good, would never permit the existence of anything evil among His works, if He were not so omnipotent and good that He can bring good even out of evil."

-L. Travis Hoffman

11/13/2014

http://www.wcnc.com/story/life/2014/11/13/father-sings-to-his-dying-newborn-son/18976709/

My Birthday Wish

Lately I've found myself with feelings rending my heart. Little moments. Pangs. Sometimes I just out and out weep. Other times I just find the energy in me gone. But I find joy in knowing that things are changing, even when I or those around me are unaware as to what at the moment.

If there is anything I can have for my birthday, it would be God's blessings and the wisdom that where I am now can change, can be better. Sometimes to the point of a 180. Lord, bless me.

In My Life

I've spent the better part of a decade not knowing what to do with my life, stressing over my meaning and purpose. It's kept me from growing. It made me attempt suicide. Even now, I still find myself contemplating my future.

For the past three to four years I've felt this premonition, this strange tug in my mind, that I would die soon. That I would pass before I reached 28. Those that I told this to have thought I was being at best, paranoid, and at worst, suicidal.

Because I didn't want to spend my remaining days living afraid and unadventurous, it emboldened me to go where I normally wouldn't. It led me to do things that I would ordinarily not do. Good and bad. I became more open about my thoughts and feelings and a little less timid. It also led me to trying alcohol and being overly and stupidly flirtatious. Ugh, is that ever embarrassing when I think about it...

I don't believe this anymore. Not because I think I was wrong, but because things have changed. God's will in motion, if you'd like. If I didn't change, then I would die and it would be an empty, meaningless death. But I was being forced to change, being prepared in character for meaningful things down the road, for better or worse.  I'm uncertain as to how much I've changed and perhaps only time will tell.

I'm not so much afraid of my future now as I am anxious to see it come to pass. I want to be remembered. I want to be missed and loved when I die. I want to leave knowing that I've made some sort of impact, that I've influenced and led in facilitating change in the world. I want a life of significance.

This I do believe; I am on my way.

-L. Travis Hoffman

11/3/2014