I’m sure you will be thrilled to know that I have a pet peeve to disclose with you today. You may share this irritation with me…but never thought it was something to write about. Well, maybe it isn’t, but I’m going to do it anyway!
It seems like many hotels have something that looks like this photo. I actually took this picture a couple weeks ago in one of the hotels we stayed in and I’ve seen this same thing many times before. If I asked you what this was, I’m sure most of you would immediately say that it is a hook which is often seen in hotels on the back of the bathroom door. I believe that the idea is that you can put your robe or towel on this hook so that they are in arm’s reach after your shower.
The idea is great…but the problem is that it doesn’t work. This particular hook doesn’t hook! The two “arms” that protrude aren’t shaped like a hook…they just basically stick straight out and don’t even do that very far. So, when a person attempts to use this like it was meant to be used…whatever is hung usually ends up on the floor.
Oh, it looks nice and it is recognizable as being a hook, but the bottom line is that it really isn’t what it appears to be. You can clean it…shine it…put it at any height on the door or wall, but unless what you are hanging is rather sticky…it just can’t come through with doing the job it was designed to do. As a result, I’m usually irritated when I go to reach for my towel and it is on the hotel bathroom floor…ewwwwww.
Don’t you just hate it when what you see isn’t what it appears to be? Maybe a hook doesn’t upset you…but what about something that is a little more important. What about that person you met that sure appeared to be a Christian? They cleaned up well, knew all the right words to say…but when their faith was put to the test…they pretty much fell to the floor. You thought for sure they had a close relationship with Jesus, but you were grossed out when their walk didn’t match up with their talk.
First of all, none of us are perfect. There isn’t a Christian alive that never messes up…never fails in their faith…never sins. We are all human and unfortunately, we all have weaknesses that can disappoint others. So, does that mean we can just use that as our excuse and not care whether our walk matches our talk?
I don’t think so. Even though we aren’t perfect, I still believe that our goal should be to make sure that when others get to know us, they see someone who is always striving to be a devoted follower of Christ. If others see us living in a way that doesn’t line up with our Christian values, what good is our testimony? Regrettably, if we aren’t what we appear to be, we will probably turn more people away from our Jesus than towards Him.
Maybe this Christmas, the best gift we can give to those we meet is our “real” self…with all of our faults and failures…but with a sincere, genuine love for our Savior. Others really don’t need to see another phony representative of someone who just appears to be a Christian, but lives in such a way that is against His teachings. Time is of the essence and eternity is on the horizon, so our walk needs to match our talk. If it doesn’t, I’m guessing all others will say is…ewwwwww.
“Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine.
Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ
is among you; if not, you have failed
the test of genuine faith”.
2 Corinthians 13:5
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