Be a Christian
Intentionally following Jesus in all of life's circumstances
The other day I was on the phone with PayPal for nearly 30 minutes. I was dealing with regaining access to an account and things just weren’t going as planned. In addition to that, the PayPal agent wasn’t being very clear or helpful. With every passing moment, I could feel myself becoming more and more agitated. I was losing my patience. As the agent put me on hold (for the second time)—and as I became increasingly aware of my impatience—I thought to myself, “Be a Christian.”
It’s simple, straightforward. Be a Christian, Blake. This is a potential scenario where you behave like the world: impatient, hot-headed, belligerent, etc. Don’t cave; keep resisting. Again: be a Christian, Blake. It’s mundane moments like this that reveal how we’re following Christ.
So, I spoke to the PayPal agent as a Christian. I reminded myself who I am in Christ and proceeded. I wasn’t perfect, but I think telling myself to be a Christian—as simple as that is—really helped me redirect my heart and attitude in that moment.
I’m sure you’ve been there as well.
Be a Christian when life is a breeze and everything is going your way. It’s easy to forget the Lord when your job is good, your marriage is going well, your children are behaving, and everything else is falling into place. We seem to become complacent in our relationship with the Lord when we’re not facing any challenges. But we must remember to praise the Lord and look to him in the good times as well.
Be a Christian when your life is seemingly falling apart. Your marriage is breaking, your job is insecure, your children are not listening, and your spiritual life is taking a hit. It’s in the moments of despair, frustration, and confusion that we must place our hope and faith in the Lord who controls all things. He’s faithful in the good times and the bad.
Be a Christian in traffic, when it’s easy to become irritated if someone cuts you off, drives too slow, or does something incorrect. We don’t get a pass in the Christian life when driving.
Be a Christian at your job, which for most people is where they are more than home, including myself. We don’t get a freebie from the Christian life while at work. In fact, being at work is all the more reason to be a Christian, to be a light, to glorify the Lord in your work, your interaction with peers, and all else. This means don’t take shortcuts, don’t do tasks half-heartedly, don’t take the easy way out, and always act with the utmost integrity.
Be a Christian when disciplining your children. I must admit that I am not good at this too many times. That means not being overcome with anger, being consistent, and using each disciplinary moment as a conversation that leads to the gospel.
Be a Christian when arguing with your spouse. Yes, even marital arguments can glorify God. Arguments don’t have to become intense bickering, name-calling, and the like. Even if there’s a disagreement, it’s still incumbent on us to argue like Christians. Be respectful, be calm, be unassuming—be a Christian.
Be a Christian at church. Perhaps this seems like an obvious one, but how many professing believers don’t act like Christians at church or when they interact with fellow believers outside the church walls? Too many are vindictive, overtly and unrepentantly hypocritical, and go out of their way to criticize others simply to build themselves up—definitely in the Bible Belt.
Be a Christian when you’re alone, when no one is watching, when you have the world at your fingertips. It’s in moments of complete isolation that reveals the state of your heart. What are you watching? What are you reading? What are you listening to? What are you thinking about? Isolation, in many cases, breeds sin. Be a Christian when you’re alone and have time to yourself.
Be a Christian when around obvious unbelievers. Do you stick out, or are you fitting in with the crowd due to fear of man? Are you being intentional about how you conduct yourself, how you speak, how you act? In my first few years as a Christian, I had to go out of my way to separate myself from a few close friends because I knew it would be easy to fall back into my old way of living. Perhaps you need to do the same.
Be a Christian when someone around you is struggling. Be there for that person; don’t look the other way because things can get ugly and awkward. Being a Christian involves awkwardness at times—embrace it. Be intentional about caring for others and letting them know they have help. Would you want someone to ignore when you’re struggling?
Be a Christian when your sin hits the fan. There is a vast difference between worldly and godly sorrow; be a Christian and choose the latter. Repent of your sin, confess is to the appropriate parties, and look to Jesus for a biblical path forward. Don’t hide or conceal your sin; that will only make it fester. Ripping the band-aid off will hurt, but it’ll heal in the long run.
Be a Christian in all of life; watch your life and be aware of your shortcomings, sins, and temptations. Read Scripture consistently, and pray as well. Pray for other people, so as to not just care for them, but take your eyes off yourself for a moment. Don’t navel gaze. Look to Jesus.
I love this post. Thanks for sharing. God bless you.
Thank you!! Great reminder!!