Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Representin'!

"So we are Christ's ambassadors,
God making His appeal as it were through us.
We [as Christ's personal representatives]
beg you for His sake to lay hold of the divine favor
[now offered you] and be reconciled to God."
2 Corinthian 5:20
Remember the Lord of the Rings craze?
I know, like anything that goes long and strong in the media and pop culture,
it wearied many.
However, I have to say, we were and are Lord of the Rings fans.
We were Tolkien fans, before Tolkien was hip.
As a result, many of those movie lines show up in our movie line repertoire.
There's a scene where one of the bad guys (Sauromon) says to his evil creations,
"Whom do you serve?"
It's all very wonderfully, dastardly!
Our culture is very aware on some levels
of the obligation to "represent".
It just depends on what your interests are what that word means to you.
As a matter of fact, when I did a search on the word "representing"
in Photobucket,
no less than 3,286 photos came up.
The photos illustrated everything from the drug culture ,
to sports fans committed to their team.

***For the purpose of illustrating ONLY***
During my time AFK, I heard a news report about one of the presidential candidates' staff members, making some colorful statements about their perceptions of an opponent candidate.
It caused quite a stir.
The stir was because, when we represent someone or something (organization, etc.),
what we say and do is not about us, it reflects on who we represent!
When we are passionate about something, sometimes we forget that.
We forget, in the heat of the moment, the heat of life,
our need to be measured in our responses and communication, to be deliberate,
purposeful, self-controlled (fruit of the Spirit)
Hearing the reaction of the media over the incident,
got me to thinking about the whole representing thing.
As a former supervisor in a law enforcement agency,
and according to the way my parents raised me,
I have ALWAYS been very aware that where ever I go,
whatever I do, my actions or lack thereof reflect on someone.
Either my family, my husband, my children, my church, my employer, or
My Abba Father.
To this day, there is not Christian anything on my car, anywhere.
NOT because I don't own up to being Christian.
But, I would hate for the one time in a million,
that I think I need to honk my horn or throw my hands up in the air in disgust
(I'm a pretty mellow driver, I like the time to think),
to be the same time they notice the fish on my bumper.
Is it wrong on occasion to be angry? Nope! Absolutely not.
But, I don't want to be someone's stumbling block!
Someone's reason to justify why they don't want to go to church ,
and be with other Christians. You know what I mean?
I make a habit of befriending the clerks at the stores I shop at regularly
(you may read that as Walmart & Publix!).


Photobucket

Every once in a blue moon, one of those stores
(which I shall not point out!) will cause me to be greatly, greatly provoked!
It can happen!
What helps me hold it together, to measure my response,
is the question Sauromon asked,
"WHOM do you serve?"


Have a great day, Ya'll!

4 comments:

luvmy4sons said...

Amen! It can be a daunting thought to realize we are ministers of reconciliation and embassadors of Christ. I havea personalized license plate that says: ILVGSUS It keeps me driivng as I should! LOL! I used to havea bumper sticker that said, "Christians are not perfect, just forgiven" Now I just have the plate. I would never want to represent Him poorly, but I am afraid I often do...to my own family, to my friends and neighbors and the occasinal stranger...Thankfully there is grace and forgiveness from God and them! Great post! Love ya!

Denise said...

Awesome post as always my friend.

Unknown said...

As usual I enjoyed the post and feel the same about wearing Christian symbols. I have a friend who wears Christian t-shirts and yet is so critical of wait staff at restaurants that I don't ever eat out with him anymore. It makes me want to deck him--which isn't very Christian either. And I have a sister-in-law who took the fish off her car, so when she flipped people off, she wouldn't send a mixed message. Hmm.

She Rose Up said...

Leslie, Thank you so much! And cool plate! That's a good way to look at it! Having it "keep you on your toes!" And may I say, a BIG me, too! As far as failing? We all fall short! But, we get right back up! :) Thank goodness for the bounce back factor of our faith!

Denise, thanks a bunch!

Carole, Thank you! I appreciate that! I know just what you mean! Our Pastor oftens reminds before he dismisses us on Sundays, of a conversation he had with a waitress years ago, that has stuck with him. She told him they DREAD Sundays, because the people that come from church are often critical and just plain unpleasant. And we won't even get into the tipping thing!

So, bottom line, he tells us, "remember they KNOW you just came from church, act like you have some joy, and be generous! Be winsome!" And that is something that just has to be developed, it can't be faked...but, I digress!

Sorry to ramble! :)

Thanks you all! You always make my day when I see your comments!

Maria

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

What Does it Mean Anyway? "Free to Fly"...

Well, it's like this: Here are some of the Webster's Dictionary definitions of Free: a : having the legal and political rights of a citizen b : enjoying civil and political liberty c : enjoying political independence or freedom from outside domination d : enjoying personal freedom : not subject to the control or domination of another2 a : not determined by anything beyond its own nature or being : choosing or capable of choosing for itself...having a scope not restricted by qualification 7 a : not obstructed, restricted, or impeded ...Now, here are some of the Webster's Dictionary definitions of Fly:1 a : to move in or pass through the air with wings b : to move through the air or before the wind or through outer space c : to float, wave, or soar in the air ... a : to take flight ...6 : to work successfully ...Examples which apply from Websters: fly high : to be elated - fly in the face of or fly in the teeth of : to stand or act forthrightly or brazenly in defiance or contradiction of

What does this mean in my life? This means that in life we are meant to be free. While historically mankind has not always enjoyed the opportunity to fully appreciate what that means, we are so indescribably fortunate as to live in a time of the greatest spiritual, physical, financial and political freedom ever known. Freedom doesn't come cheap, nor does it come easy. But the best things in life don't come that way do they? As I write this I am struck by how this sounds like a political statement, and for me this is much more of a spiritual thing, but, same goes for that (political that is). Freedom doesn't come easy. And it's worth whatever fight you have to make to overcome in your life in order to live a life that succeeds. Now the questions is - what is success for you? What is your standard? In my mind what is needed is a definite target - because you can't hit and maintain a moving target. A stable, rock-solid, anchor with no variable, yet multi-faceted. Something pure, just and worthy. If you look at any web page of news you can see that our society is certainly lacking in this area. What a great time to live as a rebel! Nowadays to be a rebel, all you have to do is be willing to engage in the battle of life, while anchored to Christ!