Sharing Donuts and Faith

    Last week, someone asked me what the best bakery around the area was.  I didn’t have to think about it for one second and did not hesitate.  I quickly and excitedly shared that Uncle Mike’s is the elite choice and went on to explain everything that makes it so amazing, especially the donuts.  I explained everything that they offered and made sure the person knew it was my go-to place and that I was a huge fan of the business.  It is a game-changer as far as bakeries go.  We always share the things that we enjoy and the things that make us excited.  We share the things that are important to us and the things that have the biggest impact on us.  Of course it’s easy to share where to find the best donuts.  Who doesn’t like donuts?
    What about faith?  Do we share our faith with the same confidence and excitement?  If something is a “game-changer” and has transformed our lives, wouldn’t we want others to know about it?  Nothing has impacted my life more than my faith.
    As a Catholic and disciple of Jesus, my faith should be the most important aspect of my life.  If it is the most important aspect of my life, why am I not sharing it and letting others know how it’s impacted my life?  How many times have I covered up my faith in a conversation or situation with friends or coworkers because I was worried about being seen as weird or thought that it might offend them?  Why do I worry about losing friends when Jesus is the most significant friend I could have?  Why do I fear being mocked and rejected by those around me when Jesus experienced this more times than any of us ever could?
    Whether it’s in-person or on social media, it’s always so much easier to go with the flow.  It’s more comfortable to agree with what everyone else is saying and just keep our faith out of the conversation.  But Jesus did not call us to be comfortable.  We need to get comfortable with being uncomfortable.  When I think about sharing my faith, I can recall a great homily from Father Scott Valentine in which he emphasized that “yes, our faith is personal but it should never be private.”  In our faith, the idea of having a personal relationship with Jesus is always stressed and talked about.  While this relationship is personal, it is not meant to be withheld from others.  Why would we not share about the one who gives real meaning to our lives?
    When I take time to think about sharing my faith, there are a few realities I have to address.  Do I value comfort and approval more than my faith?  Do I worry more about offending or upsetting people than denying Jesus?  Am I more concerned with what others might think of me versus what Jesus knows about me?
    My hope is that I can be bolder in sharing my faith; the real game-changer in my life.  Sharing our faith with others doesn’t mean standing on street corners and yelling at people who go by.  It doesn’t even mean talking about Jesus every moment of every day.  I think it means living authentically, sharing the reason for our faith, and showing people how it changes us on a daily basis.  “From the desire of being approved, deliver me, Jesus.”