I was watching The West Wing last night (series 4 now). During one scene a character said that he had been intimidated by the Presidents Catholic faith when explaining why he hadn't told the President earlier about the twins he and his ex wife were expecting out of wedlock. The Presidents response was that it was his faith, that it worked for him, but that it wasn't for him to put on anyone else. It reminds me of how, from time to time, we hear people in public office refer to their "private" faith and what seems to be being said is that it doesn't affect their public role.
Yet the thing about following Jesus, whatever denomination we may be a part of, is that it should affect every area of life. I play rugby, I follow Jesus. Whilst there will be times when I let myself and my faith down on the pitch it is not sufficient for me to say that it is a private faith and therefore shouldn't influence my on pitch decisions. My mother once told me of a discussion she had with someone in which they ranked their priorities. She said that she was first a Christian and only then a wife, a mother, a daughter etc. The person that she was talking to just couldn't comprehend this. But that is the life of a disciple of Christ. It is about putting him first.
Of course the President shouldn't have judged the situation, the log in his own eye being a constant reminder of that. But the Christian faith should be more than just a "works for me" thing. It is the way, the truth and the life. It is hope in the darkness. It should be public and not private.
