A dear friend of mine posted on Facebook the other day an incident that happened at a restaurant where he was. Soon after, because of comments, he deleted it.
*I’m going to call my friend “Bee” in this post for the sake of privacy.
At this particular restaurant, tables in the center are pretty close, so overhearing a conversation that isn’t spoken in a whisper is probable. As a couple was seated by the hostess at the table next to Bee, the waitress (maybe 18 or 19 years old) walked up and asked if they wanted coffee. The man looked at her and asked her point blank if she was a citizen of the U.S., or at least in the country legally.
I’m sure she was immediately nervous, but she told him that she had been born in Nashville and had lived in Tennessee her entire life. Then he asked if she had proof of her citizenship. I think by this point Bee had heard enough and told the man that his line of questioning was inappropriate and unnecessary. The man informed Bee that it was his right to ask anyone their citizenship status and to request proof of it if he felt it was questionable…because “our president says it’s okay”. He also said he had the right to ask because he was not going to tip or help support anyone working in our country who wasn’t here legally. Bee, thinking much better in this situation than I would have been, asked the man if HE had proof of his citizenship with him. He said he had a valid TN drivers license. Of course, he would think a TN drivers license is proof of citizenship. Bee kindly informed him that it was not.
He said the entire exchange was very civil. Things didn’t get loud or out of control and no one else got involved. Bee told the server she should get her manager, and then told the man he was a representation of everything that is disgusting and wrong with our country today. Then suggested if he was concerned about who would be serving or cooking his food, he should eat all of his meals at home.
I never asked Bee what she looked like. Because I really don’t care. She could be red, yellow, black, or white. Pink, green, or purple. She could be a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender. She could be a young girl that is out on her own for the first time trying to make her own way in the world. She could be a runaway trying to stay far away from her abuser at home. She could be YOUR daughter. That one event is one thing that young girl will NEVER forget. The fact is, nobody, President Trump or Barak Obama, Matt Lauer or Kelly Ripa, Big Bird or Cookie Monster, NOBODY gives you the right to question another persons legality. That is for the authorities, and only if the need arises.
It’s so hard to write about this because I’m so in between on a lot of issues that I won’t go into here. But I CAN tell you that I am a child of God. My goal while I’m on this earth is to love others like Jesus did. And I’m going to explain to you what a child of God, EVERY child of God, should represent. These characteristics come straight from the Bible. If you can’t represent these characteristics as a child of God, then you need to have some more conversations with Him.
Love.
True, biblical love is a choice, not a feeling. It deliberately expresses itself in loving ways and always seeks the welfare of others. Biblical love is dependent on the giver’s character, not emotion. For instance, a mature believer demonstrating love will not exercise his or her freedom if that action might harm another Christian in some way. Rather than risking the possibility of causing the immature Christian to question and stumble, the mature believer will not exercise his freedom out of love for his brother (Romans 14:1-15). Love chooses to set aside one’s own preferences, desires, and sometimes even needs to put the other person first (Philippians 2:1-3).
Joy.
Sometimes we Christians tend to downplay the meaning of joy. But, the Greek word translated as “joy” in Galatians 5 means “gladness and delight” – basically the same thing the world means when it talks about joy. It is a feeling of gladness based on our circumstances. Sadly, the world’s joy cannot last because it is based on fleeting, physical circumstances. But the joy of the Lord is established in our spiritual, eternal circumstances. As we cling tight to Jesus, abiding daily in our saving relationship with Him, we will experience the fullness of joy He promised (John 15:4-11).
Peace.
The world doesn’t offer much peace. Just look around. The world cannot give it because the world doesn’t know the One who is peace. But for those who have the Spirit of peace within us, the peace of Christ is possible, no matter our circumstances (John 14:27). We can reject the chaos of the world and embrace God’s peace. The book of Philippians tells us how (Philippians 4:4-9). First, choose to rejoice in God and who He is. Second, bring all your worries, fears, and concerns to God in prayer. Third, fill your mind with God’s truth. And fourth, choose to think about the things of God.
Patience.
We don’t see much patience in the world today, not even in the church. Maybe part of the reason is our fast-paced, want-it-now culture. But Christians have everything we need to be patient because we have the Holy Spirit living in us longing to display His character to those around us. Patient people put up with circumstances and other people, even when severely tried. Patient people display endurance, longsuffering, and perseverance. The New Testament also specifically connects patience with sharing the Gospel. God is patient as He waits for the lost to come to Him (2 Peter 3:9) and He calls His people to be patient as we extend the offer of salvation in Christ to others (2 Timothy 4:20).
Kindness and Goodness.
The characteristics of “kindness” and “goodness” are closely related. Together they present the picture of one who not only possesses moral goodness and integrity, but also generously expresses it in the way they act toward others. This “goodness in action” reflects God’s kindness and goodness toward us. God demonstrated His kindness and goodness to us in our salvation (Titus 3:4) and will continue to “show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us” for all eternity (Ephesians 2:7)!
Faithfulness.
To be “faithful” is to be reliable or trustworthy. For the Christian, this is faithfulness specifically to the Savior who redeemed us. Christian faithfulness therefore, is continued and consistent submission and obedience to the same Spirit who provides the ability for us to be faithful. This attitude is in direct contrast to our previous “faithfulness” to our own sinful desires and ways. The word also describes someone willing to suffer persecution and even death for Christ’s sake. “Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.” (2 Thessalonians 1:4)
Gentleness and Meekness.
Closely linked to humility, gentleness is grace of the soul. It is not weakness, but instead it is strength under control. For instance, in Paul’s second letter to Timothy, he wrote that the “Lord’s servant” will “correct his opponents with gentleness” (2 Timothy 2:25). And in Paul’s letter to the church in Galatia, he wrote that those who have been caught in sin should be restored in a “spirit of gentleness” (Galatians 6:1). Gentleness, being the opposite of self-assertiveness and self-interest, is also a key ingredient in unity and peace within the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:2).
Self Control.
The last characteristic in Paul’s description of the fruit of the Spirit points us back to his list of the “works of the flesh” in Galatians 5:19-21. Those of us with the indwelling Holy Spirit has the strength to control our sinful desires, to say “no” to our flesh. Self-control gives us the power to say “yes” to the Spirit and foster a beautiful, bountiful harvest of spiritual fruit!
These characteristics are called the Fruit of the Spirit. I’m NOT telling you that I represent every one of these characteristics AT ALL like I should. Whew, am I a sinner like everyone else! There’s not a person on this earth today that isn’t. My faults run long and deep and I talk to God about them every day. But, I love like nobody’s business. No matter what. Sometimes it’s been a fault to love as much as I have only to be hurt and torn down by others. That never stops me though. I love people unconditionally. I don’t always like them…sometimes I downright can’t stand them. But I know that I am no better than them and I will love them no matter who they are, what they’ve done, or what or whom they stand for, defend, represent, or support. I love them all equally. I just do. For some that’s not so easy. But if you ask me, Trump and Obama are the same. No better and no worse than the other. They both made mistakes and they both have tried to do well for America. Maybe in different ways, but their ultimate goal is America.
If you’re a lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender, you’re loved by me. You’re a child of God and to me that’s all that matters.
If you’re religion is Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity or Islam. I still love you. Deal with it.
I have served people that have been, or still are, incarcerated. I’ve served the homeless and the destitute. I’ve served people that I don’t know and people that I do know, and I love them all the same.
The thing that I try to live by in my daily life….I’M NOT HERE ON EARTH TO JUDGE YOU. I’m not here to tell you who or what you should do or be. My job is to love. God’s job is to judge and He is the only Judge. The only one that matters.
So why can’t we all just get along? Why in the world do we have to make other humans miserable because we think we’re right? What exactly is the point? And why do we subject ourselves (and those around us) to misery by watching what’s happening on CNN or Fox? WHO CARES who is right or wrong? That’s not what it’s about.
Forgive each other.
Serve each other.
Love each other.
THAT’S what it’s about.
Fruit of the Spirit – Crosswalk
**All comments are moderated. I will happily post all comments that are written with the Fruit of the Spirit in mind. All others will be deleted.