The Shirt
I finally did it Bob.
I’ve taken Bible study classes with Bob. A story I’ve heard at least three times is that he intentionally wears a John 3:16 hat in public to generate a reaction and potentially a discipleship opportunity. I’ve also heard a story by Patrick where he got up early on a trip and got coffee as an opportunity to ask people if he could pray for them. Both sounded like great ideas.
I decided to dip my toes in the water, so to speak, and ordered a T shirt. I think I’ve mentioned that I’m an introvert, so I finally ordered a shirt that had The Big Bang with a subtitle something like God said a word and there was a bang to create the universe (it’s being washed so don’t hold me to exactly this wording but it’s close). I just happened to get it right before we left on vacation so I packed it.
The first day I wore it, we traveled to this island. I saw a couple of people glance at it but no one said anything until we arrived and went out to dinner. We were waiting for our food when a man walked up to the bar (apparently inebriated) and loudly told me that he loved that show too. By this point, I’m thinking I was a little too introverted and subtle.
We had a washer available, so I wore it again yesterday when we went on a vanilla farm tour. As we arrived and checked in, the person running the tour made a comment about how he loved my T-shirt and thought it was brave of me to wear it. He also described himself as the vanilla evangelist having multiple connotations.
His young kids were hanging out there and we made a point of talking to them (normal grandparent reaction). It was a cooking tour so he prepared a couple of small things for us all. He was collecting dishes when he dropped one and it broke. I saw two pieces slide away and so while he was getting the broom, I picked up the pieces that flew away from the point of impact. It was little things such as these that lead him to personally thank us for coming to the tour before we left. Leaving there, I felt that we “walked the walk and talked the talk” so to speak.
“Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” - Galatians 5:19-24 ESV
“Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” - James 3:13-18
If this comes across as bragging, I apologize. I’ve come to believe that there is a responsibility to be a good servant leader and one way I can do this is by showing my fruits of the spirit. If I don’t show my fruits of the spirit, someone may see me and be confused how a proclaimed Christian can act that way. I may not succeed all the time and when I don’t, I pray that I beg both your and God’s forgiveness. Hopefully, my faith walk is bringing me more situations like yesterday where someone sees a connection between who I claim to be and my actions.
