4/01/2004 11:26:00 PM|||Andrew|||As some of you may know, I turned 21 a nearly two months ago now. However, I put off my first beer until tonight. The reasons for that putting off...I'm not so sure I want to get into at the moment, as I am, quite frankly, exhausted. I wouldn't even be writing this except that I want to have my thoughts on this be relatively authentic and first hand, rather than remembered the next day.

Briefly, though, here is one of the reasons I decided to go out with some friends and learn to like beer. Not too long ago, I was talking with someone I respect greatly about ministry and reaching out to people, specifically on the college campus. I expressed my discontent (and he agreed) with the sort of "hit and run" mentality that many Christians seem to have today. They may go out and "witness," but when witnessing involves one shot cheap evangelistic methods, I have my doubts about its effectiveness, and, more importantly, how much it glorifies God. As a Christian, I'm loathe to treat someone like a "project." We are told to be salt and light to the world, and God has, indeed, given me a great desire to act as such, but I don't think spouting off standard evangelistic stuff is the best answer, Especially in today's postmodern world. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 9.22 that he has "become all things to all people, so that by all means I may save some." If we are to impact an unbelieving world, the first thing that must be done is not to try to pull the unbeleiver out of their world into our Christian bubble, then to "evangelize" them. One must enter the world of the unbeliever, just as Jesus does time and time again in the gospels. Jesus is constantly found in the company of tax collectors, prostitutes, the unwanted and loathed in society at his time. Where would he be were he here today? In the Academic Plaza, preaching like Tom Short? Or up on Northgate, downing a few beers and talking with some guys about "stuff"? I'll leave you to answer that question.

I once taught myself to like coffee purely so that I could participate in that great ritual, going out for coffee. I view this no different, with the added bonus of being much more up-to-date and relevant to the culture I find myself in.

All that said, the actual experience was better than I thought it would be. I'd heard from all these people that beer was this nasty drink, something you could only learn to like after having it a lot. I don't think I agree with that assessment. It wasn't the greatest thing I've ever had, but it wasn't disgusting or nasty. I could do it again. The only thing I'm wary of is what is probably a very low tolerance level for me. Not only have I never had it before, but I'm a bit on the thin and short side, something which doesn't help. I had just one beer tonight and I (still) feel a bit of a buzz in my head. Nothing extreme, mind you, but it's something. I don't intend on having more than one beer any time soon, I think.

Anyway, that's enough of that. It's time to crash and get some well earned and needed rest. Oh...right. The play, heh. ;) Briefly, it went really, really well. We had a great audience and the whole cast was pleased. :)

Goodnight, goodnight, goodnight...|||108089077509601870|||My First Beer