“And the sign said long haired freaky people need not apply
So I tucked my hair up under my hat and I went in to ask him why
He said you look like a fine upstanding young man, I think you’ll do
So I took off my hat I said imagine that, huh, me working for you
Sign Sign everywhere a sign 
Blocking out the scenery breaking my mind
Do this, don’t do that, can’t you read the sign”
~ Performed by Five Man Electrical Band

In the process of building my private counseling practice, I have been meeting with churches and schools to let them know I exist. Having lived in Colorado for almost 9 months, it has really been such an interesting way to meet and connect with my greater community. Starting this networking process about two months ago, I truly thought that for many churches, a seminary degree in Christian counseling would be an added bonus to my stance as a follower of Jesus.

Oh, there have been some great connections and new friends along the way. However, there have been some interesting questions posed–ones that have made some of my internal bells sound. Some about my decision to not wear religious paraphernalia (it may make some families nervous if I don’t),  one about needing more Christian indicators on my business cards, and others about my stance on issues from baptism beliefs to evangelistic strategies…

Now I completely get that there needs to be a litmus test in the Christian paradigm. I realize that there has to be some standard in order for them to feel somewhat comfortable referring their people to me for care and guidance.

My issue, however, is: at what point does what I say really matter about being a follower of Jesus as much as how I live out that truth? I have left some of these interactions not feeling Christian enough, or that I was not able to show in an hour how I do desire to live out the passion of my belief system.

As I was driving away from one meeting, I was remembering the old adage “Actions speak louder than words.” I also appreciate how the Message frames part of that very principle…

“If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. If I speak God’s Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, “Jump,” and it jumps, but I don’t love, I’m nothing. If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.” ~ 1 Cor. 13 1-7 The Message

Undoubtedly, I can hold my own in a religious debate or discussion. For me, and I would guess for many others, it may not be very difficult to imitate the language or the basic ideas of Christian culture. It is way harder to actually and truly live it with all that you are.

I want my heart signs to read out loud that:

I, Stacy, do justice.love mercy.walk humbly.weep with those who weep.rejoice with those who rejoice.deeply care for the orphans and widows…

without me ever needing to get a theological word in edgewise.

This entry was posted on Monday, March 22nd, 2010 at 9:31 am and is filed under stacy. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.