Interview with a friend.

This blog post was inspired by my friend Joe.

Joe and I have known each other for a little while. Joe is not a Christian, and we have had many discussions about Christianity. Joe is really intelligent when it comes to religion, politics, sports, and lots more. Because of our very different opinions about faith we have certainly have some conflict in our friendship. But we have stuck it out, and the two of us have a good time hanging out. I was discussing with a friend, if Christian/non-Christian friendships work and are worth pursuing. I said definitely. Joe and I began to discuss some of the positives of our relationship and Joe decided to turn this into a blog post. He gave me permission to log the conversation and post it here. Most of what was said is a direct quote, only minor changes have been made for grammer, spelling, and context. Please check out Joe's blog here to learn some more about him.

The Interview:
(Chris will be in red, and Joe will be in blue)

In your words, how did you and Chris become friends?

Joe:  'Chris and Joe encountered each other at McKay. Joe was with a friend and Chris offered us a ride to IV. They then we found out that we were taking a class with each other in MGT 301.

I didn't talk to Chris a lot in MGT 301 and didn’t even want to ride with Chris to Herbert AZ to fall conference .Anyways I get to fall conference riding with my good friend Daniel Sloan.

Then I get grouped up with Chris’ bible study group, but I had a bad time at fall conference. He checked to see if I was alright and the seed was planted.

 Then Chris and I as well as a two others go out to the woods we encounter a nice sky with stars.

From then on we became friends.'

So how has our friendship changed since fall conference?

 Joe:  'After fall conference we started to talk more and made an effort to hangout.

Also other Christian friends didn’t have time to hangout or didn't want to.

 The experience at fall conference created a great chemistry in what otherwise shouldn't have been a friendship.'

So how have you benefited from being my friend?

Joe: 'I have benefited by learning more about the Christian way which I do have a disagreement with. The close friendship has built a bond of trust which is important. The sense of connection is strong, for instance, I can say the stupidest or do the stupidest thing and I feel like I still would have support at the least. When other friends would point negatives you don’t say ‘Shut up Joe or get over it’'

 How am I different from other Christian people you have been friends with in the past?

Joe:  'People I've talked to in the past that were Christian are sensitive, what I mean by that is if you say you like one of their friends they will go and tell them or if you say something politically incorrect they don’t want to hear it. When talking to you, Chris, I don’t feel the need to hide stuff from you. I can just be myself.'

What have you learned from me?

Joe: ' I have learned to watch what I say to people because sometimes it’s not going to benefit me. Also, Forget about the past and focus on the present. Lastly, Be more confident and stop being paranoid.'

What was your first impression of me before you knew me?

Chris: 'Ok, good question

So I remember running into Joe at IV, and class a few times, but I the thing I remember most was the first night of fall conference Joe was in my camp small group and we along with 2 other dudes were meeting in our bunk house. I thought Joe was really cool.

He told me that he wanted to be a sports announcer, and I totally thought he had the voice for it.

I actually assumed that the Joe was a Christian because it was a Christian camp, and he seemed to be just as knowledgeable as the other guys in the group'

What benefits do you see from our friendship?

Chris:  'Well my friendship with Joe has developed a lot throughout this year, but he has taught be a lot.

I benefit as a student, through Joe helping me study, and be accountable to my work.

I benefit as a person, through Joe helping me to be on time, true to my word, and listen carefully.

I benefit as a citizen, through Joe keeping me updated on social and political issues.

Also, I benefit as a Christian, through interesting conversations and prayer'

What are some of the strengths you see in Joe?

Chris: 'The strengths I see in Joe are as follows;

Joe is very passionate about certain things, he everything to things he cares about, like Phillies baseball. Joe is very intelligent, With a GPA of like 3.6 or something, and is able to think of really good points, when we are having conversations. Joe is also really loyal, I can count on him that he will do what he says he will do. Lastly, Joe has shed is fear of a lot of things he isn’t afraid to voice his opinion and takes a stand for what he cares about'

Where do you see our friendship going in the future?

Chris: 'I see our friendship continuing to develop. I foresee that we will continue to be friends, and will support each other through the rest of our college career, and even beyond. It is my great hope that Joe will one day join me in the ranks of Kingdom of Heaven, but I know that we will learn a lot from each other and both be better people because of our friendship either way.'

What have you learned from me?

Chris: 'I have learned that Scripture relates to everyone in some way. For example Joe loves sports analogies in the context of Scripture. I have also learned to be passionate about the things that you care about, and pursue them.'

 As you can see from this short interview, we have each learned something from each other. Joe and I are both better people because of each other. I am thankful for this friendship and I am eager to see how it continues to develop. 

Go...

Robert: age 18
Robert hardly sleeps anymore. He stays up late to get to the next party or drunken adventure. His 'fun' doesn't start till most people are already sleeping. Every night he drinks more and more, to keep himself satisfied. He tells his friends he is really happy and really enjoys life, but when he is alone he holds back tears. He's not even close to his drinking buddies, he sits at home and listens to some music all the while waiting feeling empty, just waiting for the next night ...

Teresa: age 18
Teresa hasn't slept in days. It was a little less than a week ago that she was raped by her best friend. One thing led to the next and boundaries were passed. She tries to cry herself to sleep, but her emotions prevent her from doing so. She feels dirty, guilty, and ashamed. She lies to herself "it was her fault." She can't erase the scars, but she can't move on either ...

Jacob: age 19
Jacob hasn't been sleeping well. He trusted his roommate with his most personal secret. Jacob struggles with homosexuality. Jacob's roommate was so scared, and defensive at his news. His roommate teased him relentlessly, and Jacob stopped going to his dorm. Not having to many other friends he sleeps in the 24 hour computer lab on the couch if the person working the desk doesn't kick him out ...

Coleen: age 23
Coleen gave up sleeping when she had a baby. Being that she is one of the first in her entire family to even go to college, she tries desperately to make all her ends meet. She tries to balance getting a degree, and raising a child by herself. But she isn't sure how long she can keep the game up. The University keeps taking more and more money from her, and she is only able to afford school because of an inheritance. She wonders every night if shes doing what is best for her son...

Zac: age 20
Zac sleeps 'with one eye open' every night. Zac made some awesome Christian friends and has been trying to experience Christianity for himself. But when his father found this out he became very upset. His father never wanted Zac to spend time with these friends. He tells Zac not to return home, and that if he tries to go to his sisters wedding he will hurt him. Zac cries thinking about the choices he has ahead of him ...

Janette:  age 21
Janette tries to sleep often, but never feels rested. She is always exhausted and weak. When she looks in the mirror she is horrified with her body. She doesn't feel perfect, or even pretty. She tells herself that nobody will love her, and that she is so overweight. She forces herself to throw up again, but still doesn't feel any prettier. She is so weak that it seems all she wants to do is sleep now, but she can bring herself to because she is never at peace ...

Dallas: age 18
Dallas decided there is no point in going to sleep your last night on earth. Dallas feels completely disconnected from everything and everyone. Dallas feels homesick, but he tells himself that his parents don't miss him. After he got rejected from Frat he rushed, and the program he applied for, life just didn't make sense. He writes a 'goodbye' letter, and just contemplates if he is 'man enough' to follow through this time ...

Jessica: age 17
Jessica has been pulling all nighters several days in a row.  She has a grades to maintain, classes, meetings. She just wants to make her parents so proud. She downs some energy drinks and starts studying. She ignores her feelings begging her to spend some time with friends. Eat a meal at the union. Go on a nature hike. She drowns them out night after night with books and homework. This will make my family proud she thinks ...

Taylor: age 22
Taylor can't sleep tonight, if he does he could die. There is so much drugs and alcohol in his system right now that willingly going unconscious is a terrible plan. Taylor thinks about the friends, the scholarship and all the money he has lost. He hears sirens and wonders if he will end up in jail or the hospital again. He tells himself he needs to turn his life around, but just doesn't know how to...

Lindsay: age 22
Lindsay doesn't like sleeping anymore. She shares a bed with someone she no longer cares for. Her heart is always torn. She never quite knows what to do. She finds herself living in the 'uncomfortable' but tells her self its 'normal'. She wonders if her bed-mate even loves her, he must, that's why they have been together so long....

Chris: age 21
Chris can't sleep tonight either. Most nights he goes to bed feeling loved, comforted, respected, and secure. But tonight is different. 10 people are on his mind. 10 people which he has neglected to invite to know Jesus. 10 people which are awake right now, not feeling loved, comforted, respected, or secure. 10 people which Chris' has kept a pearl of great price hidden from. 10 people who need Jesus now more than ever. Chris begins to pray for these people, and how to introduce them to Jesus, and how he loves them so...

Jesus: age ∞
Jesus never sleeps. Not while people he loves are hurt. Not while they don't know him. Jesus says to these people "I use the weak to lead the strong, I empower the humble, I lift up the weary, I heal the sick, and mend the broken. I set the captives free, I satisfy all who are thirsty. I am coming back soon and that day I will dry every tear. Come and embrace me who has loved you since before time even began, fall into the arms of the One who died for you." Jesus never stops reveling himself to his people.


What to do with these stories:
Sometimes I find myself thinking that sharing the gospel is hard. I get nervous, and uneasy about what to say. But it is clear to me now that sharing the gospel is not something I have to do, but something I want to do. I think of the pain that 10 real people (names have been changed to protect identities) are experiencing. I take the relationship I have with Jesus Christ for granted. I forget how desperate I am for sweet grace. I think back to three long years ago before I knew Jesus. I think of my own pain and hurt, and I know my friends are feeling even worse. So no more will I conceal who Jesus is. No more will I be to scared to invite my friends to know him. No more will worry about what to say. This world won't sleep till everyone knows Jesus, and Jesus won't sleep till everyone knows him.

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirits" Matthew (28:19)