George Ann Geyer’s column today (Dec. 20) put a lot of thoughts into my head. Her argument that peace is brought about, not by people who call for peace and live lives of constant turmoil, but by people who live peaceful lives and call others to follow is not ground breaking, but it is true. Those who claim to be disciples of Christ are painfully aware of this foundational fact. We cannot simply call people to be disciples of Christ if we are not first disciples of Christ ourselves.

Look at the words we Christians camp on. Grace, peace, hope, forgiveness, compassion humility and service are just a few of the words we believe to be fundamental to being Christ like. If we truly are disciples then these words have daily meaning rather then just being theological conversation fodder. If we are people of grace shouldn’t that grace be evident in the way we treat our husbands, wives, children and friends? How can we say Jesus is a savior who brings peace when our own homes are full of strife? How do we speak to the world about forgiveness when we are so slow to forgive our own brothers and sisters much less those who are not believers? It is division, strife and hard hearts that seem to be our hallmarks rather then broken and contrite hearts. If Jesus is Lord, how is that divorce runs rampant in the Body of Christ? Shouldn’t those who claim to follow Jesus be the first to forgive a spouse, the first to reconcile and the first to model commitment?

I could go on but I imagine you get the point.

Recently four members of the Christian Peace Makers were kidnapped in Iraq. Their kidnappers said they would be executed. Political commentator, Rush Limbaugh’s response was that he liked it. Here's why I like it… any time a bunch of people that walk around with their head in the sand practicing a bunch of irresponsible, idiotic theory confront reality, I'm kind of happy about it, because I'm eager for people to see reality, change their minds if necessary, and have things sized up.” My concern is not that a political commentator takes a non-Christian stand but I’m afraid of how many Christians heard this and agreed.

Limbaugh was right about one thing; these people’s viewpoints are idiotic. We disciples have had an idiotic view of life since day one. If you follow Jesus that’s just the way it is, the world will see you as out of touch with reality. If we live out these words we say are true, we will be seen for what we are, fools for Christ.

If we who call ourselves disciples are to be salt and light, we will be salt and light first in our homes, our work places, among our friends and in our house’s of worship. We cannot call people to be something we are not.