Working in a dry cleaner, I meet all manner of people bringing in all types of clothes to be cleaned. Recently, a woman came in with a prized dress she needed to have cleaned. She had bought this dress in Paris and needed us to take special care of it. Like any good dry cleaner would do, we checked the label before we told her we could clean it. The care label tucked into one of the seams read “100% Polyester. Machine wash cold. Made in China.”
Polyester is washable. It can also be dry cleaned without any damage. It is a durable, easy to care for fabric. I could easily sympathize with this woman who looked like she was about to burst into tears after we read the label to her. She had probably spent a good deal of money on this dress thinking that it was some great find, a dress from Paris. Now she finds out it is polyester which is common and not very special. She also finds out our beautiful dress was not even made on the continent where she bought it.
How many of us as God’s children are like that Parisian polyester? We present ourselves one way but act in a different way. Jesus talked about this in Matthew when He told the Pharisees they were as whitewashed graves. They proclaimed to be one thing but upon closer examination were revealed as another.
If I say I am a Christian, I should be intent on acting like one. Talking about my coworkers in a negative way when they are not around does not honor God. Is it Christ-like to curse? To tell dirty jokes? Can I tell someone about how much Jesus loves them if I am not loving towards them? Should someone trust me with their problems if they know I steal from my boss’ candy dish? It’s just candy but it does not belong to me. Can God be pleased if we do not practice fair business and intentionally try to defraud our customers?
We as Christians ought to be transparent and we should be intentional about being transparent. Our actions speak as loud or louder than our words. Our lives may be the only Bible others read. We should make sure they read an accurate account of who Christ is. Let us not be like that Parisian polyester dress made in China.
lbenefield3@gmail.com
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