Represent

This past week, I began working at Chili's as a real live server, tips and all.  It's been daunting to learn the ins and outs pertaining to serving food, and I have gained a ton of respect for people who do this as a career.  One of the positive things about working at Chili's is that I'm constantly working alongside people of different races, ages, backgrounds, and beliefs.  One thing about which I feel strongly is that God has brought me to Chili's to form relationships with my co-workers and show them the gospel (the good news) of what He has done in my life.  My goal is to offer the hope of Jesus Christ to my new friend who is working her second shift of the day with a growing baby inside of her and a relationship with her boyfriend falling apart.  Working at Chili's isn't going to be easy, but I feel as if my purpose for being there is more than to simply bring people their Baby Back Ribs.

So, as a brand new server, my second day on the floor was yesterday (Sunday afternoon).  If you've been a server before, you most likely don't fight the others over this shift because it's lunchtime, and the church people are hungry.  Yesterday was my first experience on the "other side".  My whole life, I've been one of the "church people"...I have been the one being seated, and now I am the one doing the seating.  It's funny how much we can learn when we are given a different point of view.

And sadly, the view I had yesterday wasn't very encouraging.  I served food to people who resisted making eye contact with me.  My co-worker was rudely spoken to by a woman wearing a clerical collar simply because she asked for their drink orders before the last person in their group got to the restaurant.  Unfortunately, the consensus on Sunday afternoons amongst the restaurant staff is that "church people" are not very nice or thoughtful or much like Jesus.

So here comes my question.

Are we representing Jesus well?

Because if you wear a Christian t-shirt, drive with a fish on the back of your car, pray before a meal, or even go to a restaurant (in the Bible Belt) at 12:30pm on a Sunday, people will most likely assume that you're a believer in Christ.  You can't blame them for assuming that...in fact, isn't that what you wanted when you stuck that "Warning: In case of rapture, this car will be unmanned" bumper sticker on the back of your car?  People know.  My co-workers know that they are serving "Christians" on Sunday afternoons, and unfortunately, that comes with negative connotations.

So how are we representing Jesus?

Are you staring down the person who just cut you off as you quickly pass them, revealing your Baptist University decal?  Are you tipping your waiter well and thanking them personally for taking care of you?  Are you making eye contact with your barista and asking her what her name is so that you can begin building a friendship with her, or do you simply view her as someone who is there to take your money and give you coffee in exchange.

Am I saying that all Christians are terrible at treating people with the love of Christ?  Absolutely not.  Am I saying that I'm perfect at representing God to the world around me?  Most definitely not.  I have so much to learn.  In fact, my mind is flooded with memories of the times I've been short with a cashier because I'm tired or because she's moving slower than my schedule permits.  I have been so selfish with how I treat other people, and that's why this challenge is for me too.  All I am saying is that what we do makes a difference.  How we treat people makes a difference.  Our actions have the potential to turn someone completely off to the thought of having a relationship with God.  On the other hand, we have the chance to live like Jesus and represent him in a way that draws people in to see more of the Love that has captured our hearts and is changing us every day to be more like Him.

So may we be challenged to be ambassadors of Christ, representing Him well everywhere we go, despite our current attitude, despite how our day is going, and despite how we are treated.  And may we love our waiters, cashiers, baristas, friends, enemies, strangers with the love He has so graciously poured out on us.