Wearing A Tie At The Dump

In 1 Peter 2, Peter uses a whole cadre of terms to describe Christ-followers.  Why we're not only God’s people (1 Peter 2:9) we’re also “…a chosen people…a royal priesthood…a holy nation….” (1 Peter 2:9); distinctive, unique, special categories.   

And for good reason:  as God’s people we’re not to blend in with the crowd; we’re to stand out from the crowd as distinctive, holy, men and women. Translated: folks are to sense:  there’s something different about us.  And so:  what’s different about you? 

My Dad was a unique character.  Why he loved tacky auctions, featuring the junkiest most useless stuff, ever – he relished greasy, fattening food, delicacies like pigs-feet, souse and hog-maw – and he cherished weird music, like the sound of Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians.  But the strangest thing about my Dad was the way he dressed; most notably: my Dad always wore a tie; in fact I can’t remember a time when my Dad didn’t wear a tie.  The weirdest place my Dad wore a tie, was to the Washington County Sanitary Landfill; translated the Washington County dump.   And boy was I embarrassed!  Why everyone else wore work clothes to the dump, and blended right in.  But not my Dad; my Dad wore a tie to the dump; right in the midst of that smelly place Dad wore a  tie, and stood right out!  

But you know, I think my Dad was on to something:  we should stand right out, in smelly places.  Why as Christ-followers, in particular, we shouldn’t just blend in.   Isn’t that what Jesus is suggesting in Matthew 5:  why you’re not only the salt of the earth, you’re also the light of the world (Matthew 5:14).  And as the light of the world, you shouldn’t put your light “…under a bowl…Instead…put it on a stand…Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven…”  (Matthew 5:15-16).   

   

And so how does your light shine; how are you different, because of Jesus?  Why for Josh McDowell, the famed apologist, it's the red button he always wears on his shirt; for 19th century Brethren and Mennonite folk, it was their plain clothing and prayer coverings.  But in addition to outer differences are inner differences and frankly they have the greatest impact.  Why it could be that you no longer lose your temper like you use to.  It could be you no longer abuse alcohol like you once did.  It could be that no longer fixate on career and money, like you always tended to do.  And folks are startled, amazed:  there’s something different about Paul – Denton – Sarah – Tony – Alice – Irene.  How come?  And bingo:  there’s your 'chance,' your open door, your invitation to give a God-centered response.  How come?!!  It’s because of Jesus.  That’s why I longer lose my temper –that’s why I no longer abuse alcohol – that's why I no longer fixate on career and money.  It’s because of Jesus!

Bottom line:  nothing prompts an opportunity to share Christ like a changed life. In this smelly world, when people experience someone who’s different, they look away from their garbage, and gravitate toward the glow of a transformed life.  

And so our challenge:  "live a life that demands an explanation."  Dustin Stoutt