Philippians 1:27
Above all else, you must live in a way that brings honor to the good news about Christ. Then, whether I visit you or not, I will hear that all of you think alike. I will know that you are working together and that you are struggling side by side to get others to believe the good news.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If you are old enough – or you have seen the modern-day movies – you know about Dennis the Menace. He was really just a typical kid, but he gave his next-door neighbors, the Wilsons, “the business” – as Beaver Cleaver would put it! He was a thorn in Mr. Wilson’s side from sun-up to sundown, and Mr. Wilson did not react kindly. Mrs. Wilson, on the other hand, saw Dennis for who he was, and she accepted him and loved him.
We don’t know a whole lot about Mr. Wilson, aside from his interaction with Dennis. He may have been a really “stand-up” guy … a pillar of his community, good boss, and wonderful friend to many. But all we saw was a cranky old codger who grumbled, griped, complained and disliked children - especially Dennis. On the other hand, we saw Mrs. Wilson as someone who extended grace and mercy. She was loving and gentle … someone we wanted to be around and get to know. And then there was Dennis … innocent, precocious, and curious … and something of a “sponge,” soaking up the characteristics and behaviors of those around him.
In real life, you probably know at least a few “Mr. Wilsons.” They may be Christians who read their Bible daily, go to church every Sunday, pray often, and help with a handful of ministry projects. But to be around them, you would be hard-pressed to see Christian love, grace and mercy in action. Something is always irritating them. They grumble and/or speak with an unkind tone to their voice, and the least little thing sets them off. They are always negative about something or someone, and frankly, they appear to be somewhat miserable.
God wants us to be more like Mrs. Wilson. Oh, sure, the “Dennis the Menaces” of the world may tromp through our rose garden and pester the tar out of us from time to time, but we don’t let it get us down. We look upon everyone with the same love, grace and mercy that Christ extends to us each and every day. We realize that we are all His children … loved equally … and we do our best to share that love with others in the hopes they will catch a glimpse of Christ in us.
Our goal as Christians is to live in a way that honors Christ – to work together with other Christians to share His Good News … to offer love, grace and mercy to those in our path. If we are modern-day “Mr. Wilsons,” we are missing the mark, and we fail to honor the gift of the cross. Everybody has an occasional bad day, but even on those, we must work hard to live honorably for Jesus.
Who do you more closely resemble today – Mr. Wilson or Mrs. Wilson? How are the “Dennis the Menaces” of the world reading you? Are you honoring the good news of Christ or giving your faith walk a black eye? It comes down to a choice … what will you decide?
©2010 Debbie Robus
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