Don't judge things too quickly

Photo credit: tinybudha.com

Judging things or people on first glance can turn out to be quite humorous. Take this situation , for example, 
DINNER GONE WRONG

Since I have taken the liberty of posting this video, my subsequent description  cannot be deemed a spoiler. I find this video especially timely as 14^th February approaches; I pray that no man may suffer the fate that befell this unfortunate chap. For those unable to watch the clip, the video starts of with this guy rushing home to prepare a romantic dinner for his lady. He is busy cutting some vegetables,when unfortunately his cat knocks over a saucepan and spills its contents leaving a terrible  mess. He grabs his cat to avert any more mishaps. Unfortunately, his date walks in and is greeted by the bizarre spectacle of him holding his cat by the neck in one hand, while holding a knife in the other with a puddle of sauce on the floor. She promptly fills the blanks, concluding that the cat is the dinner! Nothing could be further from the truth but on first glance of the situation who could blame her? The video aptly closes with the line: Don’t judge too quickly, we won’t.

Quite often, as a believer, I have been like the lady and now more than ever, I've been required to put the closing line into practice; don't judge too quickly. Sometimes things aren’t always what they seem; it would be highly prudent if I withheld drawing any conclusions before I knew all the facts. Sometimes, too quickly I judge with comic or tragic results. Matthew 7:1-2 urges us not to judge others or we too will be judged and with the measure we use, it will be measured to us. How terrible then if we judge on first glance, or on the opinion of others or worse, just by fickle emotion, then it follows that we too will be judged the same way. As much as we possess a superior intellect to animals enabling us to know and reason, judging others has never been meant to be our specialty, that is the preserve of God, who, unlike us, can gaze deep into the depths our hearts and see things as they really are. As a believer, naturally I look out for my fellow brother and sister in Christ keen to encourage them in their walk but sometimes I have been too quick to reprimand them for their sin when in fact, they may actually be doing more good than harm, as the case in the video. Case in point, Christians working in what I label ‘Unchristian settings’ because of the nature of the work involved or the product the company manufactures.

Spare a thought for those working in EABL, BAT, the entertainment industry, hospitality and tourism. At a quick glance, I have rushed to the conclusion that a Christian’s involvement in some of these settings can be nothing but trouble. "He/She must be backsliding, He has crossed over to the dark-side! Look at them preaching water yet drinking wine!” I have thought to myself.  I have been oblivious to the fact that Christ resides in their hearts, that day in day out, they face a monumental struggle choosing between doing what’s right and  wrong, choosing between what Christ would do and what the organization wants. The violent tug of war within their conscience puts their faith to the ultimate test,  a test that they often pass with flying colours but instead of lauding them for their victory over temptation, I have judged and criticized them for imaginary backsliding.

Kirk Franklin in the song  ‘Lose My Soul’ alongside TobyMac and Mandisa said that, “ Who you are is not what you do!” Truly profound.  It’s taken some time for God to convict me but slowly I have grasped the weight of this statement. Although they are some people who find their identity in work, who idolize their career and desire nothing else other than career progression at the expense of relationships, their beliefs, values and principles. Others though,  have their identity separate from their work and the activities of the organizations they work for. Kirk Franklin's statement though has rang hollow in the minds of many, mine included. Sadly, their identity in Christ has been nullified just because of where they work and what they do.

Like the lady in the video, I and so many others have reached a variety of incorrect conclusions all too quickly. Presumptions are made that the lady or gentleman working as a marketing executive, accountant, or public relations manager in BAT loves to smoke. Presumptions are made that the HR officer in EABL cannot do without a regular beer, tequila shot or glass of wine and that he encourages drinking wherever he goes. Presumptions are made that the actor/ actress involved in soaps or movies is high on diva-like tendencies, philandering, violence as he/ she is on-screen. Presumptions are made that the Restaurant manager who is tasked with increasing the sale of alcoholic beverages to increase profits is satisfied having more customers drunk. Presumptions are made that the restaurant manager whose premises host parties and cocktails is an all-out party animal too. Presumptions are made that the hotel receptionist lacks a moral compass when she checks in a known married man into a hotel room, late into the night with a much younger lady in tow, who is definitely not his wife.  Worse still is that it is usually hotel policy for front office staff not to disclose any information about the guest without the guest's prior consent. Staff are thus compelled to respect the guest’s right of privacy. She is thus torn between telling the truth, which is right and refusing to be a whistle-blower,  which is wrong and in a way showing tacit approval of the clandestine liaison, but it is what the hotel expects and demands of her to do. In choosing the latter, she is deemed to be a self-centred lady, only after her payslip regardless of what immoral activities occur on the sidelines.

Bearing in mind 1 Corinthians 10:23-24-“Everything is permissible”- but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”- but not everything is constructive."  I may berate these believers for their abuse of God’s grace and their resultant freedom when in fact they may be mindful of their actions towards others, as described in  verse 24- “Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.” They may actually be greater witnesses to God’s kingdom than I ever have been. Jesus desired that the gospel reach all ends of the earth so who am I to judge that EABL and co. are not worthy of having a Christian work at their premises to witness? Who am I to judge that witnessing is only done through outreach? It is carried out everywhere! As a result, I have come to understand that God gave us different callings, different competencies so that He could use us to minister to people in different places.

Many like myself would rather we work in an environment that does not tempt us or make us compromise. Many would take the easier way out in working in organizations that are ‘OK’ or ‘Faith-based’. Alternatively, you could opt to venture into entrepreneurship and start your own business, free from the risk of an organization imposing its compromising practices on you. Truth is not everybody can work in these environments. The truth is that God called some of us to work in those ‘Unchristian’ environments.  Are employees of EABL, BAT, the hospitality Industry, the film industry deemed unworthy of God's kingdom? Not at all! His grace is for all! People in these work places are meant to be ministered to and who better to do it than their saved work mates. Though they may appear to be places of darkness because of divisive products that could be abused by the customer, questionable practices, lack of integrity and corruption amongst others, don’t they need the light? Don’t they need a shining star to point them towards Christ?

I love the quote by St Francis of Assisi, “ All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle." Lights were meant to shine IN darkness not in isolation of it. In fact total darkness is the absence of light, it diminishes to partial darkness when light is present or increases. Darkness only reduces with the presence of light. Christians in these places are therefore the necessary light to the darkness, the bible to those who might never set foot in church. Through their everyday lives, they can be the light to Christ in a number of ways.

Christians in these areas work industriously. They are the ones first to arrive and last to leave.They are the ones who avoid cutting corners when doing any assignment. They refuse to take kickbacks  or bribes.Theirs is not a matter of getting the job done quickly but getting the job done well, done with integrity.

They are the employees who dress moderately both on the job and during black-tie events. They manage to pull off a look that isn’t too flashy or too provocative but decent and sometimes even elegant enough to feature on Lilian Muli’s Saturday Fashion Watch.

They are the employees who exercise sobriety and moderation during office parties, cocktails or parties held within their premises. They are the ones who take wine, under a clear conscience, devoid of any doubt that they are sinning because they do so by faith with no intention of getting tipsy nor fully wasted, while being 300% certain that nobody among the company they keep will be offended by their drinking. They are the type of believer depicted in Romans 14:2- "One man's faith allows him to eat everything,..." On the contrary though, in light of how difficult it is to drink in moderation, with drinking moderately always being the starting point of drunkenness if one is careless or the divergent views on alcohol in Christianity, as exemplified in the last section of the same verse- "but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables." They may also be the ones declining alcohol altogether.

In willful submission to God’s word, taking these verses into consideration: Matthew 22:39- “Love your neighbour as yourself." As well as John 15:12-14-“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.” Out of love therefore, they are mindful of the fact, that their brother/sister in Christ is their neighbour, who is in need; a need to avoid falling into temptation. Out of love, they desire the good of that person and are aware that some were alcoholics in their past life while others are still struggling with alcohol, desperate to break away from it. In solidarity, and laying down their own wants, they chose not to drink for the sake of their brothers and sisters so as not to entice them into sin. In doing so, they follow 
1 Corinthians 8:9-13, 1 Corinthians 10:31-32, Romans 14, in particular verse 21- "it is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that causes your brother to stumble."

In yet more displays of love, they are the employees who show care and concern for others. The employees who accord respect to all and sundry. They respect a person's dignity, treating everyone fairly from the CEO to the housekeeper. They are the ones who visit fellow staff when they are sick. They are the employees who contribute towards another employee’s welfare when a bereavement occurs or when help is needed to raise funds for school fees, medical bills e.t.c

They are the employees who actively take part in CSR activities like visiting children's homes, visiting old people’s homes, tree planting, public clean-up. They desire to be a change in the community because they want to give the community what Christ gave them; hope.

They are the employees who stay clear from office politics. They have little time for flattery or peddling rumours/gossip, instead , they mind their own business. They compliment workmates only when the need arises not with a manipulative motive behind their words. They defuse potentially explosive situations by declining to slander someone behind their back; instead they keep the peace even when the heat is turned on them unfairly.

They are the actors/ actresses who  DTR prior to contract talks which is to Define their Relationship in Christ before taking up any acting roles and negotiate to be excluded from any compromising roles. In addition, they are the thespians who decline sexual advances in order to get ahead. They are the ones who spare their time to take up roles in Christian productions that don’t pay as much or give them glamorous roles that have them gracing the red carpet in anticipation of a Kalasha award. Instead, they are just grateful for the opportunity to use their talent to make Jesus known.

We may presume these believers are regressing when in fact they are progressing with Christ, thriving in their faith in an environment we mistakenly assume should deprive them of it. They have read the bible cover to cover and continue to dig deeper into God’s word. They have an active prayer life, praying not just for themselves but their family, friends, workplace, country, church and whoever else comes to mind. They value fellowship and join accountability groups in church or those outside church composed of people also facing the same challenges.  They obediently give God His tenth, no matter how big or small it is, in appreciation of the many blessings God has given them, their jobs included. They even give God of their time, abilities or themselves to serve in church in the worship team, ushering ministry, as a teacher in Sunday School or any other area of the church.

Surely upon doing just a few of these things their light will shine. Surely people will take notice and ask questions. With 1 Peter 3:15 in mind, which is to be ready to answer anyone who asks of the hope they have, but to do so with gentleness and respect, they will share their testimony, the motivation behind their actions being Jesus Christ. Surely their admirable behaviour will cause the unbeliever to introspect, and question their disbelief in God, paving the way for the Holy Spirit to slowly convict them and convert them at the appropriate time.

Will their involvement in these ‘Unchristian’ environments be in vain? Certainly not! God works in ways higher than our own (Isaiah 55:9) , who am I, a mere man, to judge how he does it? Derek Minor, Dee-1 and Lecrae came together to record the hit single, Dear Mr Christian. It cautions the Christian not to judge the video vixen/ porn actress, drug dealer or drunk but first listen before condemning. Similarly, I have come to know the same thing: Don’t judge too quickly, those I may rush to judge may be ushering God’s kingdom far better than I have been doing.

As Valentine's draws closer, some are eagerly anticipating the festival of love. For singles, maybe not so, sad they don’t have somebody to love and forced to listen to all types of commercialization of Valentine's including Valentine’s offers for items that haven't even the slightest connection to love i.e. generators, washing detergent, shoe polish!! Trust Kenyans to be creative under the guise of Valentine's! As I have come to learn only  few days ago, I have been single for so long, I no longer consider it a status, but a job. After all, I have worked at it diligently, in the process acquiring loads of experience spanning more than the usual 5 or 10 years for job applications till it’s not even funny. The only thing left is a salary. Will I be sad that I don’t have a special someone? No! Not that much. Okay maybe just a little. You know once you get into the full time job of singlehood, with its glorious perks like doing things solo! Who would want to quit? Yeah right!  Honestly, sometimes, like Willy Paul, I look around at couples and cry out , "Where is she, Lord?" Thankfully, the grace of God is sufficient to sustain me during this period of singleness and help me embrace it. His grace has actually made me appreciate the many other blessings God has lavished me with as well as cultivate the need to work on myself  for the benefit of my future-significant other. Watch this space. When God permits, I will quit singleness like a boss!!!

As much as the focus will be on couples this Valentine's, I'm happy for them by the way, there is one person who needs the love of a Christian more than anybody else during this time; a fellow Christian in a tough mission field.  As Jesus said in John 13:34-35, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love another. All men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” How can you love them then? Simple, by not judging your fellow Christian too quickly.