Have you ever been somewhere or met someone and they really tried to come across as modern, or “hip,” as I like to say? The other day I went to a pretty swanky restaurant and when I went to the men’s room (like I do every place I go) I had to flush the toilet myself, turn the faucet on myself, dispense my own soap and then get my own paper towels. I didn’t really think much of it at the time (key word is “at the time”).
A couple of days later, I went to breakfast with my family at an Amish/Mennonite restaurant. So, as I always do, I went to the restroom. After reading the Amish Gazette, which was posted on the wall above the urinal (I know TMI), I stepped away and there was an auto flush. I thought, “Nice.” I went to the sink and there was an auto faucet, soap dispenser and even an automatic paper towel dispenser. Who would have thought… in an Amish joint?
Needless to say, I was surprised by the modernisms in a place where I didn’t expect to find any, which made me think how disappointed I was in the un-modernism of a place where they should have been (the swanky place).
Do you think we ever surprise people? What if someone knows we are a Christ-Follower? If they get to know us at all, they compare us to their idea of what a Christ-Follower should be. I know this has happened to me, especially when I was a pastor. To be honest I don’t know how many times I have heard, “Never expected that from a pastor.” Not that I was doing things a pastor shouldn’t, but it was that people had a preconceived notion of what a Christ Follower (Christian) is suppose to be; that happened to be different than what they experienced from me.
I sometimes think if people really got to know us they would be a little surprised at what they find (either good or bad), like I was by my visit to the Amish (indoors) restroom.
Peace!
Andy
Good thoughts. I hope people are surprised by their experiences with me. I hope they find more Christ than they expect in my expression of Christianity.
Makes you think about things from many angles…. What preconceived notions do people have about me? What preconceived notions do I have about others? Made me think how we can carry a lot of unnecessary worry around in life if we allow those things to dominate our thoughts instead of the one thing that we should all familiarize ourselves with the most….. What preconceived notions does God have about me?
If we would study that out and realize that only God knows our inner-workings, even better than we do ourselves. He knew us and the plans He had for us before we were even knit together in our mother’s womb…
So, I ask myself….. How many times do I do or say or think or feel something that would cause God (if He could be surprised) to say.. “Wow, I didn’t expect that from an overcomer”…from a conqueror…from a “new creature”… etc. It’s time we see ourselves as he sees us, and act accordingly.
On a side note…I don’t get the “Wow….didn’t expect that from a Pastor” ..so much as I hear the silent murmurs as I’m walking away… things like…” I can’t believe this clown is the guy in charge. “…
Great thoughts Andy….. I have been there myself. After pastoring where I am at for the past 10 years I look back and say, “wow, I see where I was tring to be cool” I am entering a time in my life now that I am once again redifining my vision, mission and purpose on this big ball called earth. One thing is for sure, I will listen to God and good advice in the future.