A Curious Girl: Where would Jesus socialise?

I asked myself 'What would Jesus do?' on Friday and thought of a rather interesting answer...

The question was in response to Rory's constant nagging for me to go to the pub where all the Year 12s I know seem to hang out, and plenty of Year 13s too. I said no, because all the stories I've heard involve getting blind drunk and then snogging people at untactful times, like when they're going out with someone else. It's rather unappealing, I'm not a great fan of getting drunk. I've done it and it was uninspiring. Plus, I rather like my own company on Friday nights... oh, that makes me sound a bit sad :) I think the trouble with being an obsessive writer (hmm, I'm thinking of this month's Poet Collab project) is that whilst it's the best toy I own, unless its one of Sara and my collaborations, I only really write alone, and if I have an idea, I can actually become quite anti-social. I don't mean to, and I wouldn't do it if I thought a friend needed me. But it's fun!

Pubs... I thought of In his steps by Charles Sheldon, then I thought of the rather different picture in Oranges are not the only fruit... the protagonist is invited to the pub, and reflects, 'My mother had always told me that the Cock and Whistle was a den of thieves and tax collectors. Now that I saw it for the first time, it wasn't nearly so exciting.' Well... Jesus associated with tax collectors and thieves. Would Jesus go to the pub?

Damn. Dangerous question.

It occurred to me that a) I don't have to drink, most pubs are well stocked with orange juice, which is my favourite beverage anyway... and b) Hadn't I better be out there, being as good a friend and as good an influence as I can? But... I might get tempted and get pissed out of my brain and end up doing something I regret. I might not enjoy it! I'm an introvert. I don't have much money.

It's not every day you get the feeling Jesus is telling you to go out and socialise. Of course, if by socialise he meant exchanging witty conversation with fellow eccentrics, I'd be perfectly happy. But that's tosh, it's not about being happy, it's about being loving - if I seek God, I can trust he will give me happiness, I don't need to worry about it. And if I am loving, won't I be giving time for my friends?

I discussed this with James. James said that seeing as a fellow Christian usually gets hammered anyway, what was the point? Then I thought, heck, if I was the only Christian in a group of non-Christians drinking, I probably would too (er... I have). A little support can make a lot of difference. Course, it might just be that he wants to drink, I don't know his motives... I'm an introvert :) (Yes, I know I've been casting myself by psychological stereotypes... the object should determine the label, not the label determine the object...) I can't pretend I'm squeaky clean either.

Because... to re-iterate...

I believe Jesus would -

- Extend love to even the difficult people around him - take time for people who need a caring listener.

- Put friends before surfing and story writing etc.

- Speak the truth when it needs saying, instead of keeping quiet, and share the Gospel with the people who need it.

Sheez, I sound like I'm on a mission. How am I sounding? I don't expect to go sailing in and curing everything if I just go socialise in the weekly drinking session. I don't expect it to make me a wonderfully better person or to earn me brownie points in Heaven. It's just doing something I ought to do - to teach myself to understand and love people more, and to show that love by giving my friends my time, because I haven't been doing that. I've been keeping myself to myself, because of writing, and internet, and work too, but seeking God's kingdom is most important. And the kingdom's not about praying multiple times a day or following a strict regime, like fasting for a certain time and going to church every Sunday to make me feel holy (as opposed to going to worship, share and support!). It's not about giving God meaningless gestures... 'I want kindness more than I want animal sacrifices...' It's about showing my passion for him by going out and sharing him with others. By being the messenger to carry the gifts God so desperately wants to give to people, yet they are ignorant.

*blush* I know this sounds terribly melodramatic, and I know I haven't done anything yet... but I needed to say this :-) Because if I don't do anything, I might as well look guilty in public as well as with God.

Random word for today:

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