Why are Christians SO DUMB?

Last Sunday, we were visiting with some family in PA and decided to hit up a local unnamed restaurant after church.  It was a really busy time and I could see there were many “churchy looking” people coming in, leaving, and enjoying their lunch.  When our family stepped up to the counter, I was friendly with the lady and she started to take our order.  I’m not sure why but I asked the lady (who happened to be the store manager), “So, are you having a good day?”  She replied politely and kept ringing up our order.  Probing a little more I said, “Do you enjoy working here?  Are the customers nice to you?”  I wish I could say her response shocked me but it didn’t.  With a sad look on her face she said, “You know, I hate to say it, but I totally dread coming to work on Sunday’s.  You would think that with all these people coming in here after church, they would be nice, but they are the worst customers ever.  They are totally rude and make our jobs very unpleasant.” 

Of course I took it upon myself to apologize on behalf of all the Christians in Pennsylvania and she laughed and we said our goodbyes.

Bradley and I walked away and my heart just sank into my stomach.  What the heck is wrong with us, people?! 

We get upset that people call us Christians “hypocrites”, but I can’t say that I blame them.

How is it that we can walk into church and be the nicest people ever, and then lay it all aside when we interact with the “world”?  Not cool, people.  Seriously…come a little closer so I can punch your face.  Okay, I’m not going to punch you, but what is it going to take for Christian’s to STOP BEING SO DUMB?!

So, for days I’ve been thinking about this.  My heart has been sad.  I’ve been thinking a lot about my life and what areas I’m being a dumb Christian.  I do agree that I’ve acted dumb before and probably still am.  I mean, the first step towards healing is acknowledging you have a problem, right?

Here’s the deal.  I’m done with the Christian show…actually I’ve been over that for a while now, but I don’t want to be dumb anymore! 

How about this for a concept?  Let’s start living the life that God wants us to and then we won’t have to even fake it at church?  When we are living and growing every day to be more and more like Jesus, we won’t be arrogant jerks to people at Panera.  Oops.  Yes, it was Panera.  I seriously love that place.

Here are a few of the things I have been thinking about lately to help me to keep my faith authentic as I interact with the world…maybe it will help you in your journey to stop being a dumb Christian too. 

1. Ask God to help you have a heart of compassion for the world- EVERY SINGLE interaction you have during the day can be an opportunity to shine the Light of Christ.  Don’t waste your life!
2. Don’t be an arrogant jerk.  People in food service have some of the hardest jobs out there.  When you accepted Christ you didn’t earn the right to turn your Christian mojo off and on when you feel like it.  Almost every single day you will interact with someone either at a gas station, shopping mall, food service, salon, kid’s sports, etc….  Treat people with KINDNESS.  And, oh, leave a decent tip…a track and no cash is a crappy testimony!
3. Open your eyes to what is going on around you.  Look into people’s eyes.  Ask questions.  Be genuinely interested in what is going on in other people’s lives (I know it’s shocking, but life isn’t really all about you). Don’t be immobilized by your insecurity.  Step out and let yourself do awkward and uncomfortable things for the sake of Jesus.

I could go on and on…that’s enough for now.

One last thing…

A month or so ago I heard a speaker and he said something that seriously imprinted on my heart and I believe might just have changed the way I think about my life.  He said, “Do you live a curious life?  When people look at you do they scratch their head and wonder why you are so incredibly different from the rest of the world?  If not, how do you hope to win people to Christ?  Your authentic and curious life should draw people to the ask you to tell them more.”

Will you take up that challenge friends?  How about we stop being so stinking DUMB and start to live curious lives!!!!

Digging Deeper,

Tirzah

PS. Sorry if my boldness offended you.  Oh wait, that was the old Tirzah speaking.  I HOPE I MADE YOU TOTALLY UNCOMFORTABLE AND I’M NOT SORRY FOR SAYING IT!!!

Hey Satan-You’re a loser.

A couple weeks ago I was having a much needed quiet time on my back porch.  Seriously, I love my patio.  We don’t have a huge yard or anything, but when I sit out there, looking over the pool, I can see a line of trees and beautiful blue sky that I absolutely have grown to love.  There are almost always gorgeous birds flying around, and once I even saw a bald eagle fly past our house. 

So, during this recent time outside, I saw something so incredible.  I was sitting there talking to a friend on the phone, when I saw this LARGE bird start circling one of the biggest trees behind our house.  All of the sudden, this TINY little bird comes darting out of the tree and starts going “gangsta” on the big bird.  You should have seen it!  It was quickly made very clear to me that that sweet, tiny little bird had a nest it was trying to protect in that tree. The big bird was relentless.  There were a couple times I almost jumped to my feet because the larger bird was coming SO CLOSE to the nest.  I found myself unable to keep my eyes off this battle, and I just knew any moment I was going to see the little bird, lose hope, give up, or even worse be killed by the large bird of prey.

(not a picture of the actual birds that I witnessed...but you get the idea!)

Okay, so maybe I’m just weird, but the picture of that big ugly bird trying to attack that nest has stuck in my head for weeks.  For some reason I feel like the little bird so many times in my life.  I feel like I have these things in my life, beautiful things, and Satan is just out to destroy them.  I too, like the little bird, have fight in me (anyone that knows me well knows I have more fight than the average lil’ bird). I don’t mind fighting for what I know is right and Godly.  But honestly, sometimes I just get so tired of the battle.  I’m tired of the conflict.  I’m tired of trying so hard to protect something in a nest that bites me in the butt for trying to help.  I’m tired of trying to raise my kids in a world that just seems to be inundated with EVIL everywhere we turn.  I’m tired of watching the news and hearing about little children being abducted and sold into sex slavery.  I’m tired of marriages falling apart and children walking away from God…I can go on and on.  All the while it just feels like Satan is winning!!  Can I get a witness?!

As I sat there watching the birds, I happened to be pouring out my heart to my mentor about recent spiritual attack.  Coincidence?  Maybe.  But, I just can’t help but think God put those birds right in front of me for a reason.  I honestly felt like those birds were God’s way of telling me, “Hey Tirzah, you may feel little, but I have equipped you to fight for me.  I care about what you are fighting for.  I am with you.  You may feel like Satan is winning, but with ME by your side you can withstand ANYTHING!  You just keep on fighting the good fight!!!”

So, I ask you friend, do you ever feel like you are fighting in a war that you have no hope of winning?  Do you feel overwhelmed and discouraged by all that is coming at you?  Do you feel tired of getting bit in the butt by little chics that you are trying to care for?  Do you feel all alone in the battle?

If so, here is a little reminder to F.I.G.H.T. next time you’re head to head in battle:

Fear not, for I am with you…I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you (Is 41:10)

In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us (Rom 8:37)

Greater is He that is in you than He that is in the world (1 Jn 4:4)

Hold unswervingly to the HOPE we profess, for He who promised is faithful (Heb 10:23)

Take up the whole armor of God (Eph 6:13)

Aren’t you just dying to know what happened to the little bird?  Well, after what seemed like FOREVER, that big, stupid bird, gave up and the little bird WON!!  Come on people…and there was great rejoicing!!!! 

Keep FIGHTING friends,

Tirzah