Take It or Leave It

Today I had someone tell me, "We're bad influences. We're bad influences on everyone and we'll be a bad influence on you too!" This was said with a mixture of confidence and sarcasm. It crossed my mind to not respond at all, but my child was watching. I simply responded, "No. You won't be able to influence me." It was a strange exchange for sure, one that my husband and I chatted about for quite a while this evening.

I think the two ladies who made their very assertive remarks were a bit taken aback at my response. Certainly my response was not made out of a poor attitude or arrogance. My response was really made more for the benefit of my son than for those who made the original comment. You see, I want my son to know that it is not only okay to be completely sure of your beliefs and standards, it is good and right to live them out with assurance and confidence. Could this be misinterpreted as arrogance? In our politically correct, let's-not-stand-for-anything society, assertion of beliefs can sometimes be misinterpreted. Heaven forbid we actually draw a line in the sand. But is it not somewhat arrogant to assert that you have the power to be a bad influence on any and everyone?

If you know me, you know my heart and intention is not arrogance at all. Yet you also know that I believe what I believe and that won't change regardless of whose company surrounds me. My beliefs and standards are the same whether I am at church, work, social/family gatherings or any other setting. Years ago a verse in Galatians jumped out at me and had a huge impact on my life. Galatians 1:10 "Am I trying to win the approval of human beings or of God? Am I trying to please people? If I am trying to please people, I am not a servant of Christ." In other words, trying to keep everyone pleased with you at the expense of pleasing God is just flat wrong. Because I believe the Bible to be completely true and accurate, I must live by the truth of The Gospel. If you do not choose to believe in God's Word, I certainly do not hold you to this standard. On the other hand, if you do claim the name of Christ, you are held to this standard not by me but by God.

My precious friend Jen and I have been talking quite a lot about living authentic lives, lives that truly reflect our belief in God's Word. As a Christian, there are certain standards God holds all Christians to. I believe Galatians 1:10 tells us that we are not to be "chameleons." In other words, if we have one set of speech and actions for one group of people and a different set of speech for another set of people we are not living authentic lives. If a person can easily transition from speaking "God-speak" to then speaking of their favorite method for attaining drunkenness, using foul language or pursuing a lifestyle that is clearly not within the perimeters of Biblical freedom (sex outside of marriage, dishonest business practices, racist attitudes, abusive actions, etc) I would dare say this is not an authentic lifestyle. Let me be abundantly clear that I do not hold those who do not claim the name of Christian to these beliefs anymore than my Jewish friends hold me to a standard of a Kosher diet. But what I do expect out of people is authenticity and consistency.

I have several friends who are not Christians. The reason we can maintain a friendship is because they do not try to change my beliefs and I do not try to force mine upon them. I simply live my life unapologetically and as consistently as God graciously allows me. Should any of my friends have questions about my beliefs I think they know the line of communication is always open.

Back to the 2 ladies I met yesterday...I think they were a little surprised at my response. To be completely honest, I was quite surprised at their eagerness to proclaim how bad of an influence they could be. However, we all ended up having a very nice meal together and had some wonderful conversation. I doubt our paths will cross again, but should the opportunity arise I would gladly welcome conversation with them. And because I love Jesus so much and am so thankful for all He has done in my life, if either of these ladies should want to ask questions I would be more than happy to answer.

"If you do not stand for something, you'll fall for anything."

Charlie Brown

I've noticed a disturbing trend in the last few days...a lack of Christmas Spirit. It seems that conditions are less than perfect for encouraging the Christmas Spirit. For some, this means all of the correct people are not in place, for others this means the weather is not cooperating with dreams of snowy white Christmases and for others it seems like just a general spirit of ennui. It's all very Charlie Brown-esque.

I will freely admit the Christmas spirit has almost illuded me this season too. On this first day of winter, my car registered 75 degrees and the day was overcast and muggy. I don't know as though we've had any 'cold, crisp' days this year. I love singing and, due to a nasty cold, have not been able to sing since Thanksgiving. There has been no caroling for me, no singing along with Bing and The Andrews Sisters and no duets with Ella Fitzgerald. Our tree has been a bit of a disappointment as well. It looked gorgeous when we first brought it home, but with 3 days until Christmas the bottom branches are drooping and nearly bare of all needles. What a Charlie Brown Christmas, indeed!

But then I look at my own little Linus (aka Jackson) and see the light in his eyes as he looks at our tree with joy and wonder, as he explains Christmas to his baby brother and as he daily dictates his "what I know about Jesus" entries for his Advent calendar. I am reminded of what Linus tells Charlie Brown, "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.' That's what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown."

Indeed, that is what, and WHO, Christmas is all about. Merry Christmas!