Misunderstood

            A friend of mine, many states away, is having financial issues and runs the real risk of losing the apartment she lives in.  Faced with the uncertainties, other options seem available, although unreasonable!  One is to live on the streets; not a good option.  Another is to move in with family, most are too far away or don’t have the required space and another is to move in with a neighbor, albeit of male gender.  Again, not really a possibility given they aren’t married and it would not be a good testimony since everyone would assume they were “living together” as husband and wife and not just friends.

            This is just one instance where people judge on what they see, not what they know.  Another might be the way a parent disciplines a child.  Spanking a child has become nearly illegal and confused with abuse in some arenas.  It is considered a brutal and dangerous form of discipline.  Yet, we can witness our younger generation becoming more and more volatile and aggressive and I suggest this comes from the lack of discipline rather than enforcing it, even if it means a spanking!  But as parents we are faced with the reality that if spanking is necessary and carried out in public, someone could actually report us to the authorities and then the “powers that be” would have the right to investigate and create all kinds of issues most of us would much rather not deal with!

 

            Another situation is described by a friend who went on a journey of good will and entered an establishment bearing gifts of cookies to the occupants.   Had a person with an ax to grind, a chip on their shoulder or just a plain nasty attitude witnessed the entry or exit of this person carrying out this act of kindness without knowing all the details, the action could have easily been misconstrued.

            What of our faith?  I wonder if there are times when we display behaviors, attitudes, or conversation that isn’t Christ like at all.  How do others view us?  Are we being misunderstood or are we displaying who we really are?  Are we saying one thing, but living another?  Are we projecting hypocrisy?  

            Non-believers can view our faith as a meltdown if they can’t see courage in place of despair, triumph over defeat, or belief in place of doubt.  We all certainly experience all these emotions but what we project to others defines us; specifically what we believe.  As we deal with our personal feelings of negativity, do we give them to the Lord and ask that He “re-define” them?  Do we expect to give our best with whomever we encounter or even when no one sees?  Are we being honest with ourselves and others?  Are we walking in the Light so others can see we don’t want to be misunderstood?

            I challenge you this week to consider your lifestyle, your behaviors and conversations.  Are you projecting the Christ or something different?  Could people misunderstand where you stand on issues facing our world because you aren’t quite firm on how you feel about the matter? Or do you choose to be “politically correct” and not comment for fear of creating tension, even when you know where God stands on the subject?  Not standing up for what you believe; is not standing up for anything.  It is a stand which could easily be misunderstood.