A Better Way
When people discover what I do for a living, they often remark how glamorous it must be to have the opportunity to be around famous politicians, actors, athletes, and other notable figures. To that, I always say, “It’s not about the people, it is all about the food.”
Despite being in the presence of frumpy, controversial filmmaker Michael Moore, television shock master Jerry Springer, and former presidential candidate Al Sharpton in the span of a few hours, conversations between media members rarely dwell on who they interviewed that day. They would rather talk about where all the good restaurants are.
On my recommendation (I lived in Boston for many years), three colleagues and I chose to dine one evening last week at one of the many sidewalk café’s lining Boston’s streets. We had just settled in at our table and ordered our meal when we were joined tableside by the evening’s entertainment. This was not, I repeat, this was not your typical outdoor café mirth and merriment. Rather than a roving violinist, storyteller, or even a juggling mime, we were treated to a command, comedic performance from a heavily inebriated, middle aged man. Wearing a “From the Heart of Boston” t-shirt, our drunken visitor proceeded to entertain us with his own special brand of profanity laced humor. Here is a homogenized sampling of his musings:
“Hey, I want to tell you guys a little story about Marlon Brando, may his soul rest in peace. A lot of people say he was bankrupt when he died a few weeks ago. They said he didn’t have any money. They said he was living in a one room apartment when he passed away. But if he was alive today, do you know what he would say to those people who thought he was broke?”
“What would he say?” the four of us questioned in unison.
“He would say a man needs room to swing a cat. You know what I’m saying?”
Puzzled, one member of our party spoke up. “I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about.”
“I said, a man needs room to swing a cat,” replied our tableside comic, as he wavered unstably on his feet.
“So what is the punchline?” my colleague asked.
“What are you, stupid? I said a man needs room to swing a cat.”
We all stared at each other with a blank uneasiness. Sensing the increasing tension of the moment, the restaurant’s maitre de had our unsolicited tableside comedian removed from the premises.
This was certainly an uncomfortable moment, but perhaps the most disturbing for me at the Democratic National Convention was our daily interaction with protest groups. One could not enter the Fleet Center (site of the DNC) each day without being deluged with some sort of message being splashed across signs or trumpeted vociferously over loudspeakers.
The protester’s causes attacked a wide range of issues: pro-life demonstrators, Vietnam veterans against John Kerry, groups opposed to the United States involvement in Israeli-Palestinian relations, even a Democrats for the removal of Rush Limbaugh on radio constituency.
I was most disheartened by several groups who were protesting under the banner of Christianity. While the issues they were shining the light on were of importance, their method of voicing their message is subject to much scrutiny. Quite frankly, I was disgusted by their persistent screaming, shouting, and unwavering condemnation of others to hell, all the while holding up the Bible as their resource for validation.
As I walked by these protesters I couldn’t help but think of the lyrics to that old time gospel favorite, “… and they will know we are Christians by our love.” But there was just one problem. I was witnessing what more closely resembled hate than love.
Sadly, for many people, their only exposure to faith and Christianity is what they witness at major events such as conventions, concerts, and sporting events. For those of you who witness faithfully in a Christ-like manner at these events, I commend you. But for those who express their concern over the decay of biblical values in this nation through scathing vitriol please take note.
In Galations 5:22-23, the apostle Paul writes, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”
Correct me if I am wrong but nowhere in this passage does Paul identify the fruit of the spirit as radical, unadulterated condemnation of others. In this letter to the church of Galatia, Paul points out that the Holy Spirit produces these character traits whose roots are found in the very nature of Jesus Christ.
It is critical to note that these qualities are a product of Christ’s control. In other words, we cannot obtain them without His help. But if we want the fruit of the Spirit to grow in us we must commit our lives to Him. We must know Him, love Him, remember Him, and yes, even imitate Him. As a result we will exude this love that He has given us to our neighbors, family, and even to people who we are trying convey a critically important message to. In essence, we must be the light of the world to people who have gone astray in their faith, lifestyle, and on issues in the political arena that are supported and validated by the scriptures.
This is an important season in our nation’s history. Beyond the fervency of the present political cycle we are in, many critically important issues are currently facing people of faith. To effectively convey such messages, always remember the foundations upon which your faith is built. That foundation of Jesus Christ.
Information contained within this article from the Tyndale Life Application Study Bible.
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