The Contrast

Everyone has experienced compliments.
You may be the one giving the compliment.
You may be the one receiving the compliment.
Compliments bring about all sorts of responses.

Sometimes, a compliment can make you feel a bit uncomfortable.
You don’t know quite what to do with it.
You are grateful for it but you don’t want to be the center of attention.
In those cases, just a simple thank you will do.

In fact, that is how all compliments should be handled.
Just give a simple thank you as your genuine response.
Often, out of embarrassment, you may be inclined to diminish the compliment.
That is actually a form of reverse pride and we all do it from time to time.

It takes a lot of grace to receive a compliment well.
It takes just as much grace to give a compliment well.
No ulterior motives.
Just a simple statement to let someone know they are appreciated.

My youngest daughter and I were talking about compliments the other day.
Not the kind of compliments you would imagine.
This was the kind of compliment that you really have to think about.
Actually, it is the best kind of compliment you can receive.

I was taking about the kind of compliment that has to do with your character.
Someone in a group begins to tell an offensive story and they stop telling it when you are near.
Someone in a group uses bad language and they apologize if you are in earshot.
I told her that is the best kind of compliment a young woman can receive.

Chivalry is not dead.
The days of a man holding a door for a woman have not disappeared.
The days of a man giving up his seat for a woman still exist.
Some young men are trained to treat a woman with respect and dignity.

In a culture where women say they can do anything a man can do, this has been forgotten.
It can be brought back.
It can be modeled.
It is time.

Michael Card, musician and Bible teacher, wrote a simple post that I am still pondering.

I figured out how to defeat terrorism. Live your life. Love you spouse and children. Every day we do this they lose. And we pray for our enemies, sometimes I believe so that we don’t become like them.

I thought about those words.
I thought about the simplicity of them.
I thought about living our life before others in such a way so that it makes a difference.
I thought about living our life God’s way, beginning in our own homes.

We must model Christian character in a world that has turned its back on God.
We must model kindness and faithfulness in the little things.
We must live our life in a quiet, God-honoring way so that the world takes notice.
We must be salt and light even when it means being vastly different.

It is not something out of the last century.
It is something right out of God’s Word.
It is not some dusty old tradition.
It is the way God directed us, knowing that the difference would speak volumes.

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. (1 Thessalonians 4:11,12)

Be different so the world sees a contrast.
Be able to explain the reason for the contrast they see.
Do not be ashamed of the difference.
The world will have nowhere to run if we are just like them.

I saw a sign outside a church that simply said: Make America humble again.
Can you imagine the backlash of that statement?
Humility?
That’s weakness in the world’s eyes.

That worldly sentiment could not be more wrong.
Humility is really having a gentle strength.
It is easy to be loud and self-aggrandizing.
It is much more difficult to lead a quiet life, honoring God, and putting others first.

Humility is so shy. If you begin talking about it, it leaves. (Tim Keller)

In a world of me first and what do I get out of it, true humility is refreshing.
Counter-cultural behavior is noticed in a society where everyone just goes along.
We, who are in Christ, must offer that contrast to the world.
The world does not know where to turn for answers to their questions.

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. (1 Peter 3:15,16)

Live a simple life.
Love your spouse and your children.
Love your neighbors.
Pray for your enemy, but first admit that you have enemies.

That kind of life is truly revolutionary.
That kind of life can change the world.
Going along takes no courage at all.
Being the contrast that the world needs to see takes the kind of courage only the Lord can give.

Are you ready for the change?
Live simply.
Live God’s way.
Give a reason for the hope that you have.

Watch what happens.

 

2 responses to “The Contrast”

1. GINA, Great writing, I really enjoyed it!

   Just say……THANKS!

   Jeff

   Reply

   • Jeff,
     Thanks…the appropriate response!
     Gina

     Reply