An Observation in Authenticity

WARNING: THE FOLLOWING POST MAY BE UNCOMFORTABLE. Knowledge equals responsibility. Once you are aware you are officially accountable. If you wish to remain unaware and therefore unaccountable STOP HERE.

I have a babysitter for a few hours and errands to run. You have to use a lot of backroads to get to almost anywhere around here. Lots of two lane roads, lots of large farm vehicles, lots of opportunities to practice patience. The weather is nicer then it has been so with the windows cracked and the Christian heavy metal loud, I take the time to enjoy the journey.

I am a really good driver. As a type A personality, I am a rule follower at heart. I keep my hands at 10 and 2, keep a safe distance, check my mirrors frequently. As I look up to check my mirrors, I see him...or her I can't be certain. But you've encountered them as well. The people in a hurry to go nowhere. They are following me so closely, they can read the tag in the back of my shirt. I breathe a 10 count, and try to ignore them. I'm already going about 5 over the speed limit so I'm certainly not speeding up. Once we hit the dotted yellow line, they jerk into the other lane and zoom past. I smile at them, but its a rude, are you happy with yourself smile. Then I see it...the Jesus fish.

"You've gotta be flipping kidding me!" I say out loud to no one. This REALLY bothers me! 

1 Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 

If we look at the word ALL here, in its original context, it means....ALL. Fascinating isn't it. As disciples of Christ we have a responsibility to do every thing we do authentically. Meaning who we say we are should be evident in the way we live. Everything matters! Everything is being watched. Sometimes we are being watched by a world that needs to see Jesus. Sometimes we are being watched by our children, who need to know that their parents are who they say they are. That we are trustworthy, that we are real! How you drive, the way you treat the incompetent cashier, the way you tip. (Sorry about your toes, but I warned you at the beginning.) All of these things are evidence of the Christ who saved us. Take the stinking Jesus fish off the bumper, that makes you feel good about taking a stand and actually take a stand. Be authentic. Do every little thing for the glory of God. And the next time you feel the need to drive like a butt head, remind yourself, people are watching...Jesus is watching. You will mess up...I will mess up! But once we adjust the way we think, slowly it will affect the way we act, and that will affect our world!