This morning, stopped at a red light on the way to work, I had my windows down to enjoy the weather (honestly, even in Arizona it's nice at 6:30!) and the classical radio station turned up, when suddenly another competing musical genre intruded upon my ears. The driver of a car two lanes over was likewise enjoying his music at an elevated volume :) Not to be overpowered - I was really liking my music, here - I turned up the volume of my radio even further. It was wonderful.
Usually, I turn my music down at lights, so I don't bother the other drivers around me. But this morning I was completely unashamed of my music, and was fine with people hearing it and identifying me with it. And it got me thinking.
Do I do this with my life? When I come into contact with other people, whose ideas and worldviews and beliefs are blaring loudly through their words or actions, do I respond by turning up the volume of my witness, or by turning it down so as not to offend or annoy? Obviously I don't want to be verbally accosting people with the gospel every minute of every day - there is a lot to be said for tact! - but I tend to err on the side of timidity and caution, and so now I am challenged to turn up the volume, so to speak, when opposition arises. When I am talking about politics and religion with others in my lab (which happens occasionally, though not frequently), instead of downplaying our differences and trying to agree with everyone, I ought to speak the truth boldly. When I interact with those of my coworkers that irritate me, or when I'm frustrated with a difficult situation, I ought to strive even harder to show love, to be at peace, and to have patience. When life gets hard, in short, I ought to be turning up the volume of my faith.
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