The schmoozing didn't stop at these luncheons. Sometimes, a member of the Association, or public, would stop by the office of a coach, unannounced, to visit with them. I remember visiting with an assistant coach about such an occasion. He basically said that, as a coach, he would visit with them to keep their interest, but he had more important things to care about than them. So, he told him things to "make them happy." He was putting on a show...acting, if you will. Are there times we fall victim of that with our brethren?
Christians are part of a group of people who have the privilege of being able to go to heaven. However, there are times which we may show some imperfections. Sometimes we may be offended/bothered by someone. Sometimes we forget that we are encouragers to one another. When we show those imperfections, whether it is having to "schmooze" through a conversation, choosing not to speak to someone because they've offended you, or some other reason, we are falling victim of being a "love actor". Here are some applications to choose from to help not be a "love actor"...
- If you've been offended, pray that any offense will not prevent you from holding any part of a grudge against that person or group of people.
- Approach the person from which has offended/bothered you. Not talking about them to others.
- Remember that part of your Christian responsibility is to encourage others...so being with your brethren on any particular gathering is not about what you will get out of it, but to be there for your brethren.
- Pray that people will accept you, strengths and weaknesses, and you will accept the others in the "family" the same way.
- Offer forgiveness when you've been wronged and pray that it will not be a wedge in your relationship with that person, in the future.
- Pray for God to use you in unimaginable ways to make the church family a closer group of people.
Peter told his recipients, that since they have purified themselves, they should be sincerely loving each other. We, also, should be accepting this challenge!
Have a great week!!!!
Continually working on this...
Great lesson yesterday! I think God would do amazingly unbelieveable things with His Church if we could learn to be more real and sincere with one another. I think we get in His way all too often. I couldn't help but think of the song on your playlist, "Stained Glass Masquerade" by Casting Crowns. Everyone should take a minute to listen to that when they read this post . . . it's a powerful song.
ReplyDeleteSometimes it's easier for someone to always "put on a happy face" rather than deal with whatever the situation may be. If we go deeper into finding out what's real, we might have to realize and change things in our own lives that are hard to accept. Just a thought.
ReplyDeleteFor anyone who's interested, here are the lyrics to "Stained Glass Masquerade", if you didn't listen to it.
ReplyDeleteI agree...it is a very powerful and pertinent song!
Is there anyone that fails
Is there anyone that falls
Am I the only one in church today feelin’ so small
Cause when I take a look around
Everybody seems so strong
I know they’ll soon discover
That I don’t belong
So I tuck it all away, like everything’s okay
If I make them all believe it, maybe I’ll believe it too
So with a painted grin, I play the part again
So everyone will see me the way that I see them
*Chorus*
Are we happy plastic people
Under shiny plastic steeples
With walls around our weakness
And smiles to hide our pain
But if the invitation’s open
To every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we close the curtain
On our stained glass masquerade
Is there anyone who’s been there
Are there any hands to raise
Am I the only one who’s traded
In the altar for a stage
The performance is convincing
And we know every line by heart
Only when no one is watching
Can we really fall apart
But would it set me free
If I dared to let you see
The truth behind the person
That you imagine me to be
Would your arms be open
Or would you walk away
Would the love of Jesus
Be enough to make you stay
Chorus x2
Well if the invitation’s open
To every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we close the curtain
On our stained glass masquerade
Is there anyone that fails
Is there anyone that falls
Am I the only one in church today feelin’ so small
Anonymous...
ReplyDeleteThank you for your thoughts! If I am understanding you correctly, you are saying that it is sometimes much easier to "act" than to face the reality of changing yourself.
Changing is hardly ever easy, but there are generally unseen benefits. As a book I am reading says, "We won't change until the pain of staying the same becomes greater than the pain of changing."