Speaking in Code

I feel bad posting an image of this movie when I haven't seen yet, but I hope to, maybe one of you can let me know if it's worth the time. When I thought of this concept this was the first thing that came to mind, and if it helps you remember this concept, then it worked!

Anyway, I got side tracked on this verse earlier when I was going to post via my iPad in the aircraft getting ready to start the 20 hour trek back home… Here's the direction I took in a note on You Version. The direction I wanted to go with this blog is to encourage others to think about how they communicate Christ in their jobs… By the way, our trip to LA was a success, sorry for not posting any pictures or information about it, but I continue to hold my cards close while at this duty station, mostly because that's what everyone says I should do… I guess I'm not such a MOOP after all!

So this idea has been on my mind for a while, and I had to share it tonight even though I've got only 13 minutes before I'm suppose to shut down the computer according to my 10 steps to success on trips, and it's been a very long day to boot! The idea is to speak to other Believers in the workplace in a sort of code when talking about spiritual things with the specific purpose of getting those near by to listen more intently. In my humble opinion, most Americans have heard of Jesus, and many have seen pretty poor examples of Christians. As a result, I think Christianity by and large has a bad perception in the mind of the average American. If this isn't true for you, just take my word for it that in the Marine Corps, some people refer to Christians as “Churchy" and it's not a compliment.

If you want a new way to get the word out, perhaps speaking in code to other Believers in the workplace might be a technique you can use. I know from experience, it causes others to lean in and wonder what you're talking about. Ultimately you must rely on God to break the code for those who don't understand, but saying “Jesus Loves you" as I wrote about in a 30 MM text might actually close a door that could have been opened with the right code… You can read that short message here.

I'll give two examples of how this can be put into practice. A couple months ago, a Gunnery Sergeant I know at work was scheduled to get surgery, and I asked him to “let me know the details so that I could be specific in my request." I could have said, “let me know how I can pray for you," but I wanted to possibly present an opportunity for him to answer the question I hoped someone would ask, “Who is he making a request to? or What request?" The other example came from my visit with Jason Robinson and his family in LA. A lady asked Jason's dad (Col Robinson, USAF, (Ret.) “Why are you always so happy?" and he started his response by saying, “Well I've got this friend…" Once she asked, “tell me about your friend" the door was opened – WITH CODE – and 2 weeks later, she walked through that door to salvation!

So that's the idea… try it if you like it, but realize it will take a little more thought, and sometimes a straight forward approach will be best… As I attempted to reason with some pilot friends who don't understand the Gospel of Christ, my code of choice tonight was: “it's like trying to smell the color nine right?" which is referring to finding out what God desires of us in some situations. It's from an old Chris Rice song and at the end he says: “nine's not a color, and even if it was, you can't smell a color. That's my point exactly" I pray we'll soon see how the Holy Spirit cracks the code to open the eyes of the blind!

peace,
Adam

Full disclosure: it took more than 17 minutes, (30 to be exact) but I just checked and I actually have until 2230 to get off the computer according to the rules of the road…