by Tom Hsieh
I believe that one issue God's been bringing up with me over the past few months is that I need to love others, and engage with others who are different from me. It's not easy for me to do because I'm pretty much an introvert. One resource that I've found incredibly helpful and encouraging is Peppermint-Filled Piñatas (Eric Michael Bryant).
I bought the book only because I thought it was required reading for the NOC retreat back in January 2010. The name of this book didn't inspire much confidence in me that it would be a good read, but it's actually been one of the most impactful books that I've read.
There are numerous passages in PFP that I found to be very profound. For one example, Bryant writes, "Rather than befriending and loving those who do not yet follow Christ, it seems that the longer we follow Christ, the fewer people we actually know who believe differently from the way we believe ... We have (inadvertently or perhaps sometimes purposely) isolated ourselves from the world around us" (p. 21). That passage describes me – over the years, especially as a parent with kids, my world has become very insular and small.
Another theme of the book that struck me is that we simply need to love others, and love is the most effective method of evangelism. In other words, building relationships and friendships with those who don't know Christ is the best means of winning them over to the kingdom.
One small step I've taken to try to break out of my "insularity," and to apply what I feel God's been putting on my heart, is going to Laundry Love. I'm very grateful for the people who run it (primarily the F3 small group), because they've done all the planning and work, and all I have to do is show up. I found myself making excuses even the first time I drove there (I'm tired, I don't really know anyone there, I'm not really good at socializing, etc.), but I'm glad that I've gone. I sincerely believe that we are blessed as we love others; not materially, but we get more of Jesus as we love others. I would describe going to Laundry Love almost as a selfish thing – that I need to go because it's good for the condition of my own heart to engage with and show love to other people.
I'll finish with these thoughts:
- The book is not perfect (I think the author touts his church a bit too much), but it includes many funny and entertaining passages. More importantly, there really are a lot of great insights in the book regarding the importance, difficulties, and joys in "relational evangelism"; and
- I'm really encouraged by the fact that so many people at NOC are engaging with and loving "the other," such as cooperating with Lifeline Church and Solidarity in trying to love the community in tough areas of Fullerton and Placentia, and ministries like Laundry Love and Burrito Project. I'm thankful for the opportunity to actively participate, in a small way, in what others here have started.
Thanks for the encouraging words, Tom! Zondervan changed the name and re-released it as Not Like Me: A Field Guide for Influencing a Diverse World!
ReplyDeleteDo you mind if I re-post your review at the new www.notlikeme.org site?
No problem, Eric, and I don't mind if you re-post the review. I'm surprised you found this; it was intended more for the NOC community. I really did like your book. I do feel sheepish about my criticisms, but hey, gotta keep it real:)
ReplyDeleteTom