If you have ever travelled to Amish country in Pennsylvania, you will not likely forget it. The small fertile farms, the distinctly dressed Amish, their quaint modes of transportation, all seem to transport you to another time. These people seem oblivious to the bug eyed tourists who snap pictures of them and their homes day and night.
You can understand the curiosity seekers. These people are certainly unique. On the one hand, you wonder how folks could live that way in the twenty-first century. On the other hand, you kind of envy their simple lifestyle and their clear identity.
Remember back in high school when you could tell what group someone belonged to by their dress? Some tried to dress like their peers. It just seemed to happen to others without trying. We are possessed of a strong desire to be identified for whom we are.
It seems as Christians, however, we struggle for identity. Have you had the experience that I have had, when someone who has known you for years suddenly says to you, “I didn’t know you were a Christian.” Wow. What condemnation.
In these days when the government seems interested in “fundamentalist” or “evangelical” Christians, it seems we ought to really do them a favor by dressing alike or having some other means of easy identification. I mean, you wouldn’t want to be missed when we are all hauled off to concentration camps as terrorist threats.
What makes it worse for us is that there are many who call themselves Christians and who are often identified by the world as Christians. The problem is that these folks aren’t good advertisements for our kind. They are usually spotted saying something stupid or hateful.
We really need to find a way to be noticed in a good and powerful way. We have something wonderful to offer, but no ones seems to notice or care.
Lord, help us to be the called out for a purpose people that you want us to be. Let others look at us and see only you.
Pray that prayer with me and be blessed.
Nick
Be the first to reply