Camouflage

Took my children to a military museum for a camouflage day last week - the boys loved and the permanent staff were friendly and the day staff were very helpful.

It set me thinking as these things often do - what can I learn from this experience?

Firstly I considered the place of blending in with the rest of society - I suppose the missiological word would be 'enculturation' or something like that. Listening to the world and understanding it, not sticking out like sore thumb because your a Christian, that sort of thing - obviously you don't have to have camo paint on to do it - otherwise people would have real reason to thnk you were a nutter!

Secondly the purpose of blending in is, I think twofold, that people don't misjudge and mistrust us and also so that we can serve the individual s around us, build relationship with them by blending into their lives and backgrounds as well.

We probably want to call is incarnational living in 'Christian speak' but I prefer to think of it as just living in the world and witnessing faithfully to those around - not setting those who we have relationships with as projects - but being genuinely interested in their lives and well being to the point that we will unashamedly share Jesus with them.

It's sort of blending in so we can stand out.