My daughter and I were recently labeled. The labeling was done in a joking fashion. The problem was that the person had waxed so eloquently and vehemently on those that this label included that the joke was really on them. It really made me think about me. My hubby is so great at being objective. He is much slower then I am to throw all my chips into one way of thinking. I am trying to learn from this gift.
How many times have I generalized comments and waxed eloquently on my opinion as a group as a whole? Wow, it is quite humbling. For the past year, I have really prayerfully sought to be a meeker person. I find that there is so much harshness in Christianity. I am Baptist in denomination, and I know the reputation for beating up your own. Before I would ever call myself a Baptist, I would claim to be a Biblicist. YES, THERE IS A VERY BIG DIFFERENCE. We tend to lump people into groups and then rank them accordingly. It is extremely unBiblical. This practice isn’t just limited to Baptist. I know people who won’t talk to me anymore because they saw me wear an outfit they didn’t approve of or read a facebook status that mentioned some taboo. I do not want to be one of those people. I don’t care what music you listen to, if you wear pants, whether you swim in a public pool (that would be mixed bathing), or much more, but what I do care about is that you know my Jesus, and if you do, that you are constantly growing in Him.
I say all that because it seems that my recent labeling by my “Christian” friends comes from my conservative views. Seriously!!! I mean really, you are going to harshly condemn me for the music I listen to when it is only Christian, but you listen to whatever you want. I am some how the stumbling block. I never criticized, never hinted for change, but somehow I am an offence?! This is just one random example. We are all different. I am finding that if I am different in a more conservative way it is less accepted then if it was in a looser way. I don’t understand it. I have been labeled a traditionalist. You know, I am just blindly following what they did years ago. Really? You know that how? Oh…that’s right, it was just assumed. I have been called ignorant because I believe that every area of my life ought to be rooted and grounded in the Word of God. Is a claim to take the Word of God more lightly in life something to really be proud of? Wow! It is in those moments I am learning to guard my response. I get the, “Well, we would have invited you but you would have probably been offended!” comments. How big and mature is that statement. Might I add, it is so totally the opposite of how Christ expects us to act.
So, yesterday when my twelve year old daughter asked me why we had been called such a label. My explanation came from Acts. In Chapters 13 and 14, Paul and Baranabas were teaching in the synagogues, and they were having amazing results. People were searching the Scriptures and coming to a saving knowledge of Christ. The unbelieving Jews stirred up the emotions of the Gentiles against them over and over. The unbelieving Jews acted in ignorance. Paul and Barnabas had to escape for their lives. Unfortunately people who decide to be ignorant about belief and why someone might believe that way, only spread more ignorance. It was great lesson to share with my daughter on why we accept people for who they are and to remember that it is God’s job to change each of our hearts and lives on an individual basis and relationship with Him.
Think before you speak. The person who is standing before you might have a reason or a thought you haven’t had. It might change your perspective on a few things.
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