I have this concept about the way we behave.
I think that we often miss the "log in our own eye", and that our behavior perpetuates the stereotype of self-righteous "hypocritical" Christians.
I believe that a heaping helping of peace, service and kindness can fix the issue. I want to explore the idea that Jesus wants us to be Superheroes of Peace.
Here's the thing, I want your thoughts and stories. I have my own experiences that I'll share, but I'd like to hear your thoughts too.
Here's an example:
I once had the opportunity to have a nice dinner with an elder from a different church at a restaurant. I had a very high opinion of him, and I still hold him in high regard. But on this particular occasion, when our food was delivered, he did something ugly. He took his soup, and jabbed his thumb in it. He then scowled at the waitress and in a condescending tone said: "This soup is not burning my finger. It is barely warm. Take it back to the kitchen, and get it right!" He then turned away from her, extended his palms toward us and said: "Now then, let us pray...".
This was significant to me, because when I was in college, I waited tables at a restaurant. Every Sunday there was an unofficial competition amongst the servers. The competition was to avoid Christians. Every server, myself included, wanted to work the smoking section in the bar on Sunday. (This was back in the day when you could smoke in a restaurant) The reason we all fought to work in smoking, near the bar, was because Sunday Christians were awful. They were mean, they were entitled, they were poor tippers...in short, they were the worst, least desirable customers possible.
Every Sunday at the Black-Eyed-Pea in Denver, Colorado I was embarrassed to call myself a Christian. I saw our stereotype firsthand. Who could deny the stereotype? We were serving people who claimed to be servants of Christ. Yet they behaved so poorly. They were not generous. They were poor tippers. (Don't get me started on the bible tract that, when folded, looked like a $20 tip. I had a few un-Christ like words pass through my head when those were left on my tables as a "tip".) They were mean and acted highly entitled. They were unappreciative and curt. They were jerks and dorks.
This blog isn't about acting like a Christian in restaurants. (Although I think that restaurants are a major battlefield that every Christian could perform on.) I want to write about how peace, service, and kindness can win more hearts for Christ than political stances, "biblical marriage" bumper stickers and fake $20 dollar bill tracts ever could.
Would you please share your thoughts and experiences?
Thanks,
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