So the other day, I rode with my friend Rich to the DMV to return some car tags or something. (Yeah, how bored was I that I went to the DMV just for the ride a long.) While at the DMV, the most amazing thing happened. The lady who took care of us behind the counter, we'll call her Gurtrude (Mainly because I can't remember her name.) was as nice, pleasant, friendly, kind, and patient as anyone I have ever seen. She smiled the entire time while processing our order. Let me say this again, person working at DMV was INCREDIBLY PLEASANT. I mean this as no disrespect to those who work at DMV's, but the DMV employees have a bit of a reputation. There is a stereotype about DMV employees that they are negative, impatient, and overall just unhappy people. This is the perception, perhaps not the reality. This lady was none of those things.
As we were leaving the store, I was struck by a thought. We have the ability to change someone's perception of something (either positive or negative direction) in an instant. My one encounter with Gurtrude has shifted my previous perception of DMV workers. As a follower of Christ, when I make that claim, I now have the ability to influence the perception of the church as a whole, Christ-followers, and most importantly Jesus. This happens all the time. Think about it. How many times have you heard someone say that is turned off by God that "I used to go to church all the time, but I had a bad experience." or "I was really burned by the church when I was younger" or "Christians are nothing but judgemental, hateful people." Most people are not turned off by the reality of who Jesus is. They are turned off by their perception of who Jesus is. And we as Christ-followers have all too often given that negative perception. Let's face it, Christianity in our world today is often the butt of many jokes at best, and at worst the recipient of hatred from many. Sure, we can chalk some of this up to "persecution". But I think it is foolish to misrepresent Jesus by our actions, and then get blasted by the world and call it "persecution for our faith". Not to sure Jesus would call it that? I know we are not perfect, but it breaks my heart to see the picture of Jesus we evangelicals are often giving. My desire is to know the heart of God, and then begin to shift the perception of Jesus into its accurate place.