A woman at work treats me like a kiosk worker. Even if we’re working in the same area, she will completely ignore me no matter what I say. She walks quickly by me, and avoids eye contact. She thinks I want to sell her my religion.
I am not in Florida to convert people. I’m here to tell them about the love of my life. I’m here to be a tool so that Christ can radically change their hearts, as he has done and is still doing to mine.These days, religion is a four-letter word. When most people hear you say you’re a Christian, they don’t think that means you follow Christ. They think it means you’re judgmental and hypocritical. Religion is now political—who’s right and who’s wrong.
That’s not the way God intended it though. James 1:27 says, “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.” Why isn’t it like that though?
America often is considered a “Christian” country. After all, 78.4 percent of Americans claim to be Christians. That’s the problem. There is no way more than three-fourths of Americans are followers of Christ, which is scary. People feel like going to church and “being Christian” makes you seem like a better person and will make you more respectable.
Following God to Orlando has been the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do as a Christian. If being “Christian” makes you a more respectable and put together person, then why am I so disrespected and ignored at work? Why do people judge me and think that I pretend to be perfect? Why do people think I’ll judge them? I’ve never had such a hard time making friends at work.
Hypocrites ruin the name “Christian” for those who are legitimately trying to serve the Lord. We need to not just be religious but actually be servants. Show people what it’s like to love and be loved. Pray that God shows you someone to build a relationship with so that you can share Christ with them.
Ashley Mims, a student at Midwestern State University, is serving in Florida with Go Now Missions as a part of ROCK (Reaching Orlando with Compassion and Kindness).
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