Colossians 4:5-6 (TNIV)
“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
Writing on the maintainence of love and good deeds in the Canadian culture, I want to discuss how we do this in a Canadian institution; a place we are often on display. Somewhere where people are watching us and where we are often “just off duty”.
Many church-going families will end their Sunday morning by spending the early part of their afternoon having lunch at Swiss Chalet. Also affectionately known as Christian Chicken, several of Oakridge’s own attend the post-service luncheons.
First, what is the general reception of Christians as more of us are becoming patrons on Sunday? Often the opinion is negative: They are pushy, demanding and/or arrogant. Impatient. Bad tippers! Some of the waitstaff at restaurants will avoid a Sunday shift simply because “that’s when the Christians come in.” Some of our brothers and sisters have been known to criticise the waitstaff that is serving them for even working on a Sunday ~ all the while making necessary that server’s employment since the Christian is there.
Happily, I will announce that we do not have that reputation; at least not at
Overall, we are discribed as “very nice, patient and friendly.” There were even some honourable mentions regarding a particularly nice, senior couple who share an anniversary with one of the hostesses and celebrated the occasion with a gift! We are generably generous with our tipping, and one particularly “handsome” family is number one in this area. Generally we are seen the same as “normal folk” but are particularly communal as we will often request to be seated together and can take up entire sections of the dining hall; a noticable difference that can, at times, make it difficult for the server to know where to serve the food and/or collect the cheque J. One particular action they witness, much to the surprise of the server each time, is the likelihood of one family covering the bill for another, anonymously. All of this speaks well for us as Christ’s ambassadors as we live and and eat before the Swiss Chalet staff.
As it regards our incarnational witness to the world around us, what is important is both the practice and development of character. I understand Paul in Colossians 4 to make a clarion call for a Christianity that is never off duty; letting the love of Christ permeate everything we do and say, no matter where we are. For further consideration, see Who You Are When No One’s Looking by Bill Hybels.
So, perhaps we’ll see you around Swiss this weekend. Remember; we’re being watched, and so far, we have left as good an aftertaste as the meal we’ve enjoyed.
