Lasting impressions
The way we treat people can be one of the greatest testimonies to our faith but it also has the power to turn people completely away for "the church".
My experiences in Indonesia have highlighted the necessity to be aware of the way we treat people.
We are all SO different. In Indonesia it was the first time I was truly an outsider. Not because people didn't like me or purposely rejected me but because I was physically and culturally different. For one I was taller than the majority of people and even though I wouldn't call myself fat I'm definitely a bit of a bigger girl. So physically I stood out! There were times I felt uncomfortable for being different. On a side note; It was still very cool to see that even amongst a totally different culture, God and his love remained consistent.
It's really only us who put these barriers in that make us not all accept each other. God only looks at the heart of the people. Pity we can't see it too!
On my trip I got the opportunity to visit the famous Kerobokan prison aka Hotel K. I met with some "famous" drug smugglers (no it was not Corby!), I met with some not so famous drug smugglers and all sorts of criminals. But as I sat in the boarded up visiting area (due to the riots in March 2012) chatting with these people, their crimes seemed so insignificant in comparison to the work Jesus was doing in their lives. One particular prisoner is on death row. His life is literally at the mercy of other people yet he still walked around with joy. Everyone including the guards respect him. Another told me about beatings he received after converting to Christianity from Islam. They demanded he deny Christ but he didn't! That shows such strength and character yet he obviously has done something pretty dodgy to be in there in the first place. One woman told me how in a way she was grateful to be in jail because she would never have accept Jesus if she wasn't. I left the hot damp prison a little shaken. Not by my fear of the criminals inside but by my own lack of faith in the grace of God. I'm not justifying their crimes and the thing is not one of them complained and tried to claim they shouldn't be in prison. Instead they were glorifying God by changing their hearts and attitudes even though their circumstances were not likely to change or improve.
In church we are always reminded that we must always remember its about people and it's so true. What's the point if we aren't reaching people.
Judging people is such an ugly thing. And honestly I'm such a nobody that I don't have the right to point the finger at anyone. Do you have that right? We are no more righteous than what society labels as scum in the prisons. Thank GOD for his grace!
Every time we meet with people we leave an impression on them of what we believe and value. I challenge you to take some time and think about the way you treat people. Every type of person.
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. (Colossians 4:5, 6 NIV)
We are all SO different. In Indonesia it was the first time I was truly an outsider. Not because people didn't like me or purposely rejected me but because I was physically and culturally different. For one I was taller than the majority of people and even though I wouldn't call myself fat I'm definitely a bit of a bigger girl. So physically I stood out! There were times I felt uncomfortable for being different. On a side note; It was still very cool to see that even amongst a totally different culture, God and his love remained consistent.
Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. (Acts 10:34, 35 NIV)
On my trip I got the opportunity to visit the famous Kerobokan prison aka Hotel K. I met with some "famous" drug smugglers (no it was not Corby!), I met with some not so famous drug smugglers and all sorts of criminals. But as I sat in the boarded up visiting area (due to the riots in March 2012) chatting with these people, their crimes seemed so insignificant in comparison to the work Jesus was doing in their lives. One particular prisoner is on death row. His life is literally at the mercy of other people yet he still walked around with joy. Everyone including the guards respect him. Another told me about beatings he received after converting to Christianity from Islam. They demanded he deny Christ but he didn't! That shows such strength and character yet he obviously has done something pretty dodgy to be in there in the first place. One woman told me how in a way she was grateful to be in jail because she would never have accept Jesus if she wasn't. I left the hot damp prison a little shaken. Not by my fear of the criminals inside but by my own lack of faith in the grace of God. I'm not justifying their crimes and the thing is not one of them complained and tried to claim they shouldn't be in prison. Instead they were glorifying God by changing their hearts and attitudes even though their circumstances were not likely to change or improve.
In church we are always reminded that we must always remember its about people and it's so true. What's the point if we aren't reaching people.
Judging people is such an ugly thing. And honestly I'm such a nobody that I don't have the right to point the finger at anyone. Do you have that right? We are no more righteous than what society labels as scum in the prisons. Thank GOD for his grace!
Every time we meet with people we leave an impression on them of what we believe and value. I challenge you to take some time and think about the way you treat people. Every type of person.
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