Even a Child

Represent!  

Even a child makes himself known by his acts, 
    by whether his conduct is pure and upright. –Proverbs 20:11 

Meeting hundreds of new people at industry events is a great reminder of how perception shapes thought. It certainly doesn’t take long to form some opinions after you say hello and chat for a bit. And while those opinions are based on very limited data, one can’t help making assessments about not only that person, but their organization as well.  

If you already knew ten people who worked at XYZ Industries and they were all amazing, you probably won’t think substantially less of XYZ if the eleventh person you met rubbed you the wrong way. But if that person was the first one you go to know from that company, you might assume that their culture is lacking, that they have trouble hiring and keeping good people or even that it’s a toxic work environment. We make these leaps when we have a rude server at a restaurant. And believe me when I tell you that if the first Christian someone meets is disrespectful, dismissive, or hypocritical, they will give the faith the side-eye and wonder why they should even consider committing to something that doesn’t produce people who reflect its values. 

John 13:34 says, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”   Our actions, they way we carry ourselves, how we respond to need and pain, how we love each other reflects on the One we serve. While it’s not about us, we can be either a stumbling block or a light. As author Brian Dodd writes, “We are always modeling something, whether positive or negative.” 

Whom and what do you represent? People are watching. Jesus showed us (not just told us) how to live. Now let’s “go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:37)

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