Someone once posed a hypothetical question in a sermon once that I liked:
“You have been accused of receiving Christ as your savior and following him.
Is there enough evidence to convict you as guilty?”
While that message is important, I believe that it is the kind of witness we are that strikes a heavier chord.
I admit that I am not always Glenda the Good Witness. Sometimes I am the Wicked Witness of the West. Eat your heart out, Wizard of Oz haters ;).
Sorry for the tangent…
But this came as a realization to me at work. I tend to complain a lot, sometimes even as a way of relating to other employees. You know, the standard attitude of “This work is so not me, I have a college degree, I hate being treated like crap and I’ll be gone in a month, thank goodness.”
Did I mention I work with a lady (a couple, actually) that have been doing retail for more than half my life? It’s almost a perfect analogy to the skinny girl talking to the 50 lb overweight lady and complaining that she’s gained 5 lbs.
Insensitive? Yup. Not to mention ungrateful and cocky. How is this being a good witness?
I was born into comfort. No, not Jed Clampet’s daughter, but let’s just say I didn’t have to worry about college loans (if you all make imaginary dart boards with my face, I won’t protest). So is it easy for me to be whiny when things aren’t peachy keen? Perhaps.
My health is a puzzle for doctors right now, I have about 1/6 of my support raised, I’m running low on dinero, I’m getting a lot of flack for my mission from a few relatives, and life is full of distractions and “what ifs.”
But shouldn’t I praise God for that?
Part of being a good witness is showing that Jesus has permeated your life and your heart and builds you up when life (aka retail job at minimum wage) brings you down. Life is supposed to be enjoyed but that doesn’t mean that it’s the “It’s a Small World” ride at Disneyland. And through these struggles, no matter how grave they are in comparison to others’, we should thank him for strengthening us. I’m more for being rock solid than a wet noodle.
We should also consider who we are complaining to. For those who don’t know Christ, how much more appealing would it be to see someone who faces adversity or the same stresses as you but is unphased or comforted throughout? Why let someone be turned off by Christianity and view it as an empty promise bandwagon to jump on? The moment we say we are Christian, we are watched that much more by Christians and even more by those who are not.
What are you testifying to? Do you truly believe in what you are trying to portray? How’s your attitude? Or does the glass on the frame need to be cleaned off with a damp towel to see the masterpiece (Jesus) inside?
I might be someone’s “Jesus” right now and not even know it. So does that mean it’s time to stop complaining, write my trivial frustrations down on paper and toss them as they come, and buck up? Yep. I better slow down the traffic in my mouth and detour it to the ears.
We all want to complain, to be heard, but someone needs to do that hearing for everyone else and give witness to the fullness that God’s grace gives us.
That’s exactly what Jesus did.
