Always on Display

I learned, more like reaffirmed, something very important today. On my drive in to work, I returned a call to a friend, using my transit pass to access the subway's parking lot while on the phone. I was inside the trainstation and at the turnstile when I realized I had forgotten my pass in the car. I mentioned this to the person I was speaking with, and casually mentioned I would have to go get it and proceeded to do so. As I retrieved the pass, the phone conversation went something like this:

Friend: I really do admire you.
Me: Why?
Friend: If I had forgotten my pass and had to go back to my car to get it, I would be flustered and complaining. You, on the other hand, are so calm about it. You just walked back to get it without a word of complaint. But I guess complaining wouldn't help, right?
Me: No, it wouldn't. There is no point in my allowing myself to be put off by the fact that I had to go back and get the pass. Regardless of what I did, I would have to still go get it. Thank you for noticing. It is not always easy, but I have learnt how not to give in to initial reactions, and so maintain some control over the way I respond to certain things.

What did I reaffirm? That even when we think no one is noticing, we are constantly reflecting who we really are by how we respond to things. For Christians this is even more significant because of what we are supposed to represent. It is said that adversity do not make or break a person, but simply reveal who they are. There is a lot of truth to that statement. Being angry, frustrated, upset, or saying things that one should not say, are simply reflections of what is in one's heart. OK, I can hear the chorus of voices: "I'm only human", but while that may be true, when did being human become an excuse for such behavior? God still demand, and expect, the best of who we are and are capable of being through Christ. It is only though Him that we will find the strength to rise above the seemingly little things that would cause us to stumble.

We are supposed to be living examples. Not always easy, but a part of what it means to be a believer. After all, while we may never know who is observing the things we say and/or do, we should be mindful that others are looking on. What they think about Christ, and the message of the gospel, may be influenced in part by your behavior. Think about it the next time something happens that has the potential to provoke a negative reaction from you.