Another thing that I've learned is that it's good to take advice from a variety of sources. I worked a prayer station at a trolley stop in Orlando the other day, and I was told that my lip ring made me look "like the world." I didn't know how to take it, as it was someone I'd been talking to for a while and had come to respect. In this case, I walked back to the hotel (about 2 miles or so) and reflected. What did God want out of this situation?
Here's where the "second guy" comes in: I was talking to a guy, namely Damon, at the Convention Center about this situation.. as I was battling with the thought of taking my lip ring out for registering messengers for the meeting. Out of respect, I did. Damon, however, said to me "but when the convention is over and you plant your church (God's church), I want you to put that lip ring back in and stretch your ears out. It doesn't matter what you look like. It's your heart."
Truth be told, both opinions could've been backed up by Scripture. However, God does not intend for His Word to break you down in a way that would cause you to feel bad about yourself. It's about being confident in who God has made you to be, and being willing to change things about you to mold to His likeness. We were created in His image, so we must take care as to not adapt His image into our hermeneutic (interpretation).
The essential lesson learned here is that there will be people OF GOD who will say things that could offend you. You don't necessarily have to take all of the criticism you hear, IF YOU'RE IN THE WILL OF GOD. If you're not, maybe you need to have your attention redirected.
Hopefully and prayerfully we will all find God's way for our lives.
Comment or email me (msgdob86@gmail.com) and we'll talk about our experiences!
Peace
Powerful insight! Our leader has tatoos all over his body, and so does his wife! If we all look like stiff neck bible thumpers, won't we end up scaring the very people we are trying to reach away?
ReplyDeleteI have battled with this very thought as well, however, with where God has led my family and whom He has led to cross our paths, I imagine most would call them worldly people. When in fact they are the most fire breathing preaching men I have met in a long time! Hard Core Christian Metal Bands are what is needed in today's world to get the attention of the kids. The church as been so silent for so long, not wanttin got be bothered by anyone, we have been lulled asleep by Satan. Well now God is rising up true leaders to wake up the church, calling them to revival.
Keep your lip ring in and see how many fish you will catch for our Savior! I know it will be many! I expect to read how you have cast your net and when pulled it in, found it to be over flowing! Image counts, but what's is on the inside is so much more important!