I Should Have Known What That Meant

I should have been wise. Oftentimes a song comes to mind as preparation for what the day or season will hold. Ready Aim, Oceans, I Am What You See, and the list goes on and on in how God has used music in this way. So I should have been wise when the song "Simply Redeemed" floated to mind.

I am a Christian

Do you know what that means?

That means I'm far from perfect

Simply redeemed, born with a purpose

Purchased by love 

It's not a form of religion

But a gift from above

I am not perfect, no

But I have been redeemed

I am a believer

Do you know what that means?

That means I've pledged my life, giving everything

I never knew that this was meant to be

I'm not perfect but I have been redeemed

Redeemed

While I was yet in my transgressions

Somebody paid the price for me

I offer up my life to Him and now I say again

I am not perfect, oh but I have been redeemed

Oh yes

I am your brother

Let me show you the way

We'll take this road together

Oh how, take it day by day

Somehow I know

We'll make this journey's end

Make no mistake about it

You have been redeemed, redeemed

While you were yet in your transgressions

Somebody paid to set you free

So offer up your life to Him

Accept this love and we'll begin

Walk together for we have been redeemed

Redeemed

While we were yet in our transgression

He gave His life for you and me

So why not give your life to Him

Accept His love and then begin

To stand together hand in hand

And truly He will heal our land

And we will wear these chains no more

As these walls come crashing to the floor

And then someday He'll come again

And we will find our rest in Him

This will be perfect

We will be perfect, yeah

We will be perfect, oh ooh oh

We will be perfect

We will be perfect, oh yes, we will

Simply redeemed

Now it didn't click as I listened and ran into my co worker in the train,who is Hindu. Mind you, the last two or three shifts have been very fruitful at work. God is opening the door for snippets of spiritual conversation. With this particular co worker we had a snippet convo about how Christianity and Hindu are not the same. Although the theological conversation lasted less than 30 seconds, that was major. All gods, all paths are not the same according to Christianity. Then yesterday he asked where I go to church. Still no clicking today as I am humming "I am a Christian Do you know what that means?" while mopping the floor of the restaurant. I guess the answer in the spiritual realm was "NO!" So God said, "let me show him." 

The restaurant started to get busy and my coworker got into one of his moods. His moods are teaching me humility for sure. As a teacher, I am used to shutting down a student mood or being the cause of it. Now to an adult who is my superior- yeah there is not too much I can do. Anyway the customers noticed his attitude. One table left and said it was because he was so rude. Then an adjacent table approached me and said, "your boss is an ***hole but I wanted you to know that you're doing a great job and it is nothing against you." I informed him that this guy was not the owner and gave him the number of our owners. He thanked me, promised to call, and gave me a $10 bill saying to keep it because I deserve it. 

Now $10 might not sound like a lot to you but:

-it was buffet lunch so minimum service

-it was busy and I barely interacted with their table

-until I got paid yesterday, I had less than $10 to my name (not including my missions account)

-$10 when you're a student is like $100! 

-I could buy the new Mali Music album with $10

The owner of the restaurant called less than three minutes later because the customer had indeed called him. I shared what had been going on and I told him about the $10 for two reasons:

-I don't work on tips, I'm paid hourly.

-"I am a Christian. Do you know what that means?" We're not deceptive, or dishonest.

The owner said give it to my coworker, who does work on tips.

My coworker said for me to take it back because it was mine. However, I left it. The owner had already spoken on the subject. Did I mention that I am learning submission at work?

Although, I know that demonstrating what it means to be a Christian can be much more powerful than sharing a formula- it's hard. After all of this transpired, my co worker was talking about how he is going to quit and he is not going to work with me anymore. He regressed to last week's behavior and began insulting my work again (which is quality) and left me to set the entire dining room for dinner, by myself. But, "I am a Christian. Do you know what that means?"

Feeling a little drained after shift one, I went to the source for a drink. I intended to look up Philippians 2:4 "Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too." However my eyes fell on "Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people." 2:14-15 What is there to say to such a precise Word? I still wanted to read 2:4 and my eyes were drawn to 2:3 and 2:5 as well so altogether the verses read "3 Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. 5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had."

As much as I want to morph into a "ME Monster" and be woe is me, and me feel down, and think of the rights of me I am reminded that it is not about ME. It truly has to be all about HE and together, we can display the answer to today's loaded question: I am a Christian. Do you know what that means?"

Prayers always appreciated!

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The time you spend alone with God will transform your character and increase your devotion. Then your integrity and godly behavior in an unbelieving world will make others long to know the Lord.
Charles Stanley