Assume for a moment that you have a visitor from outer-space who is an anthropologist who has been sent to study aspects of earth’s culture. In this case, ET has come to try to understand Christianity and its impact on American culture. Being an anthropologist, ET is under some restrictions not to interfere but only to observe. ET has chosen you as a worthy proponent of Christianity. ET can observe you and how your faith is lived out, but can’t ask you any specific questions. Given that admittedly fictional scenario, I want you to look at your own life and try to understand what ET might learn from observing you live your faith. Remember, ET doesn’t have any doctrinal background and can only interpret what is observed.
First, consider your weekly actions and interactions. Make a list of what you do in one column, and in a second column note the conclusions might be from observing those activities. Your calendar can jog your memory on scheduled activities, but also note worship, and preparation for it, hospital visits, spontaneous conversations with members, emails and telephone conversations that stick in your memory, committee work, study time, devotional time, family time, denominational time, etc.
First, in trying to list the many activities that engage you week after week, even you might be surprised at the variety of activities that fill your days. This list will be important for what I will suggest tomorrow, but for now, simply reflect on how such activities might be interpreted by an outsider. What does it suggest about your faith that you spend that much time preparing for and conducting worship? What does protecting family time say about your faith? What about time you take for counseling those in stress, being involved with children and youth, engaging colleagues in responding to issues on the national front, etc.?
By thinking like an anthropologist, you begin to get some idea of how your life is testifying to your faith.
