I have always hated working out in public places. There is something about the gym that seems to intensify our self-consciousness and awareness of others, and consequently it has to be one of the most superficial environments. After one workout I opened the door of a gym to leave as a woman with a purple streak of hair was about to enter. Few women are able to appreciate the dilemma that this situation places a man in. The options are to either, A: Walk past the person and risk being perceived as rude, or B: Hold the door open and risk being perceived as a creep. I decided that option ‘B’ was the best way to proceed because it was better for me to take any damage than her. As she walked by while I held open the door she wagged her head like a cobra and said, “I know YOUR kind…”
Later on I explained what happened to my sister and she exclaimed, “Well, you really can’t blame her.” Intrigued and a little bewildered I responded, “What? What do you mean I can’t blame her?” In the most matter-of-fact tone possible she expressed, “Well, you were at a gym. And all guys at gyms are ‘douche-bags’.” This was quite a revelation for me. I couldn’t believe that all I needed to be awarded the status of ‘douche-bag’ was a ‘Y’ chromosome and physical presence at a gym. What that meant is if I was friendly there was a good chance I would be considered a douche-bag, AND if I was a jerk there was a good chance I would be considered a douche-bag. All in all though it was relieving to think that I made the ‘right’ decision in holding open the door – because a friendly douche-bag was probably better than a jerk douche-bag.
Being a Christian in today’s world is really no different than being a guy at a gym. If we are friendly there is a good chance we will be perceived as deceitful, and if we are unfriendly we will similarly be denounced as evil. As believers it is important to know this in advance so that we can be patient and understanding when it happens! Just like women at the gym, people in the world have some very good historical reasons for being wary of ‘Christians’ – and automatically will be on the defensive when they know you are a believer. But beyond the evils committed in the name of Christianity in the past, most people in reality are angry at God in one way or another. As Christians we represent God – and that means we will be the physical outlet for others anger! David wrote about this phenomenon saying, “For the zeal of your house has eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached you have fallen on me.” –Psalm 69:9
When somebody hits you physically or verbally, our natural inclination is to strike back. But if you realize that the anger being directed at you is really an expression of frustration towards God – you would never want to strike back! The only way to bring healing to another person’s life is to absorb all their anger – and refuse to reciprocate it back. Scripture says in Proverbs 16:6 that, “By mercy and truth iniquity is purged..” It’s only through mercy and truth that a heart can be opened to receive the Love of Jesus into their lives. It’s painful bearing the anger and hatred that people have towards God, but if that’s what it takes to save them – it’s worth it. Beyond that, there is something about suffering for Christ that can do an amazing work in our own walk with God. There is no pain we can suffer that JESUS didn’t suffer greater – and all of us are saved only because He decided to take our wrath for us.
In the days ahead, it is important that we arm ourselves with patience and the love of Jesus in our hearts. Many hearts are so deeply hardened the only way they will come to Christ is to see for themselves a Love and Peace that passes understanding. It’s a difficult road to follow – one that requires both humility and as Paul explained to Titus, “In all things showing a pattern of good works.” –Titus 2:7 We are not preaching ourselves to others, but JESUS and His Salvation. But if they see that we are selfish and manipulative people, they won’t want anything to do with our Jesus. As long as we are mindful of the mercy and grace that JESUS pours out on us every day, it’s a lot easier to extend that same mercy and grace to others. Just like a guy at a gym, its consistency of character that will eventually win over hardened hearts.
