wrestling with faith in christ

The building manager smiled and said he wanted to show me something, but I had to promise not to tell anyone. I agreed and he led me down a maze of hallways and down a steep flight of stairs.

Pushing a large steel door open, we walked into something that looked like a cross between a basement and an underground parking garage. After walking a short way he turned towards me, smiled, and pointed to the far end of the large room.

Two cars were parked at the bottom of what looked like a ramp. A door on one of the cars opened and one of the biggest men I had ever seen got out. Then a door on the other car opened and an equally large man stepped out.

It was Hulk Hogan and Rowdy Roddy Piper of professional wrestling fame.

They had laid down on the backseats of their respective cars and entered the building secretly. It seems they wanted to practice for their upcoming match without anyone knowing it.

That’s right, they came to practice for their upcoming match. Can I be blunt? If the fact that professional wrestling is fake shocks you, you don’t get out enough.

While I suppose there may be some fans of professional wrestling that are under the illusion that it’s spontaneous and the real deal, my hunch is even the most avid of fans know—deep down—that it’s merely an elaborate show, pure entertainment.

And even though they know the reality, they still play along.

That may be fine when it comes to the world of wrestling, but that’s not fine when it comes to the Christian faith.

As Christmas approaches and people whom I haven’t seen for the last 12 months show up for church, I can’t help but feel sad. Sad because I’m so concerned about their spiritual health.

Are they really followers of Jesus? And if they are, why don’t they hunger and thirst for biblical teaching, corporate worship of the Lord, and fellowship with others believers?

On the other hand, if they’re not really followers of Jesus, why do they bother to play the game? Why do they bother to show up and get all dressed up, sing the songs, follow along in their bibles, say “Amen!” and then disappear for another 12 months?

I mean, until I began following Jesus at the age of 35 I didn’t go near a church. No way. You couldn’t drag me. Didn’t believe and wasn’t interested in even pretending to believe.

Forgive me if I’m not supposed to talk about these things, but I truly do get sad and concerned about many people’s walk with the Lord. Or lack of walk with the Lord.

And—may I be blunt again? If you’re feeling uncomfortable right now and maybe even angry, does that tell you something? If you’re ticked off that I’m expressing concern about the spiritual health of those who rarely if ever go to church, why is that?

If I’ve gone too far and been too bold, please forgive me. It’s just that I’m really and truly concerned about people. I want them to open their eyes as I did 20-plus years ago and commit their lives to loving, serving and worshipping our great God.

Professional wrestling may be fake, but God’s love for you is not.

"For God so loved (YOU!) that he gave his one and only Son, that (if you believe) in him (you) shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.”1

1  John 3:16-18

mourning christmas

Taking off my glove, I reached out and stroked the side of its head. It was a beautiful Calico cat and the warmth of its body was a welcome contrast to the cold winter wind.

It wasn’t mine, but I still felt compelled to pick it up and take it home. Maybe I shouldn’t have, but I did. After all, it didn’t have a collar or any identification and I felt sorry for it.

Once home, I walked over to the trash can and gently, oh so gently, laid it to rest atop a bag of garbage. Later, when I left for work, I stopped the car at the end of the driveway and looked at it once last time.

Yeah, still beautiful. And yeah, still dead.

I found the Calico a few weeks ago, but the memory is still fresh in my mind. And the memory is of a dead stray cat. A cat I didn’t even know.

Can you imagine what kind of Christmas it will be for someone who has lost a family member or friend recently? It’s a good bet there’s not going to be anything “merry” about this holiday season. Not for them.

And what of those who lost someone in years past near Christmas? Each year this time comes around, it brings grief and sorrow because of a person’s passing.

Why do I bring this up? Because there are people all around us who, because of a death, will be mourning at some point during the upcoming holiday season. Because of that, why not reach out to them this year?

While I know many of us shy away from such topics, in my experience people want to talk about their loved one, and are not offended when others bring it up. In fact, many—perhaps even most—actually appreciate it when people remember their loss.

So, do you know someone like this? Someone who will spend their first Christmas without their loved one? Or someone who lost somebody near this time of year in the past?

If so, how about a quick phone call, a visit, a note, a card or even an email? Does it take a little time and effort on your part? Sure. But isn’t it worth it to make a positive difference in somebody’s life, somebody who may be feeling desperately alone and depressed right now?

I still get sad thinking about a stray cat from weeks ago, one I had never even seen before. How much more painful is it for those who have lost a loved one?

So, who are you going to contact and how are you going to contact him or her?

Please don’t let yourself off the hook—it may just be the best present that you’ll give this year.

“All of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.”1

1  1 Peter 3:8