I don't know if you have this particular custom in your neck of the woods but, here in Connecticut where I'm at, we have a habit of letting an oncoming car know that a police car lays in wait by flashing our headlights. It's a quick "watch out- you're going to get yourself in trouble!" kind of a message. I am not so naive as to think all the cops don't know we're doing this. Still, it's reassuring to have someone "watching your back" a little bit, even if it's by telling you you need to slow down!
I think we need some kind of Christian equivalent. Some way of letting each other know, "Pssst.... you're about to step in it. Be careful. You're getting off track here..."
How many times have you witnessed something you knew couldn't lead anywhere good but were unsure how to mention it? How many times have I, in my quick-tempered reaction, headed on a path I shouldn't be on? Wouldn't it be nice if we had some subtle, universally recognized sign to give each other? Some little gesture that said, "Hey, friend, slow down. Calm yourself. Is this what Christ wants from you?"
Most of us are afraid to speak up. We don't want to get into long, holier-than-thou discourses. We fear alienating or angering those around us. I mean, who am I to tell you that you're straying from a Christian path? As a result, we just let people meander off-track.
I want a simple way to help each other. A quick "headlight flash" kind of gesture to remind one another to stay aware. A friendly warning.
How about you? Can you think of some simple reminder we could give each other? Would you welcome this or be offended by it?
Subtle warnings work for me and this post is linked to Works For Me Wednesday!
(the page flashed at me that there were 14 comments, but I can't see them.)
ReplyDeleteI hope you know you have carte blanche to say that to me!
I read in a book once about the phrase, "your slip is showing." It was in reference to how a wife who speaks about her husband in an unflattering way to other ppl who aren't involved in the situation. But, I think it fits whenever we say something unbecoming.