Christian uniforms: Uh...penguin outfits?

By Scott Riggan

It was one of those late-night dorm room conversations – probably fueled by study fatigue, stress and stale pizza. A seemingly profound suggestion was proposed: what if, when one became a Christian, some kind of uniform could be issued. Upon wearing this uniform, the follower of Jesus would be easily identified by everyone all around.

Okay, sure. You have to admit, there’s little on the outside of us that reveals what we believe about God. Even things like the Jesus fish or the Christian T-shirt have limitations, since much of our Christian cultural shorthand doesn’t always convey what we might hope.

Say you’re standing in line at Starbucks. I’m pretty sure nobody around you could guess that you’re a disciple of Christ just by looking at you. Would your order of a Grande Soy Mocha clue anyone in to your faith orientation? How about if you were wearing a Christian T-shirt? Would that do the trick? Or what if people could plainly see a Jesus fish on your car as you drove away?

So back to my friend and his “uniform” suggestion. He figured that this “Christian” outfit would need to be drastic and unmistakable. It would need to be something that no one else would just happen to wear. Specifically, he proposed that we all should start wearing penguin costumes.

Why penguins? I can honestly say that I have no idea. But you’ve got to admit that people would notice if you walked around dressed as a penguin. Picture yourself in a penguin suit at your office. Or at the store. Your school. Having dinner at a restaurant. Working at, say, a construction site ...

No question, this would make a Statement. But here’s the thing: we’ve already been assigned a “uniform,” so to speak: a definitive, obvious characteristic that should let everyone know Whom we serve. Here’s what Jesus has to say about it: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” – John 13:34-35 NIV Jesus – whose opinion matters, I think – is saying that our actions speak louder than the Jesus fish on our Volvos. How we live – and particularly, how we love – identifies us as His followers. Notice He doesn’t say “by your Moral Scott Riggan Perfection” or “by the Tidiness of Your Front Yard” or even “by your Correct Theology.” No. They’ll know we follow Jesus by the way we LOVE. Not obvious enough, you say? Well, I’ll agree that our penguin suits would definitely get people’s attention. But try to imagine this: Christians – real people with different opinions, personalities, political affiliations, racial and cultural backgrounds – actually loving one another (and by that I mean more than playing nice together). I really think that would be attention-getting. Even shocking. “Love one another.” And if that isn’t going to do the trick, then we’d better get to work sewing those penguin costumes. n Scott Riggan is best known for his recording of “I Love You Lord.” He serves as Worship Arts Pastor for Eagle Christian Church and lives with his family on a small ranch in Emmett. After a long break from songwriting, he’s recorded a new album titled “Beautiful and Terrible.”

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Understanding relationships Continued from page 25

Let’s be real. In most cases, the reason you get irritated is because your spouse doesn’t do something the way you would do it. And the way you do it works for you so you know it must be right. Guess what? Your spouse feels the same way about their way of doing things. You and your spouse are simply different in these areas, and thus far in your marriage you have seen these differences as irritations. Subconsciously you are saying that God made a mistake in the way He designed your spouse. Identify the differences that these irritations reveal.

Step 2 – Look for Assets In Your Differences. Every difference has a positive side. We don’t have to see our differences as irritations. How we view them is a choice. Many times, couples live with a low-grade resentment of each other just by the way they are viewing their differences.

Most of the differences that irritate us in the normal flow of life do not involve immorality. They are simply expressions of our unique design, and there is always a positive side to our uniqueness. If we are to maximize our differences in marriage, we must look for the assets.

Step 3 – Learn From Your Differences. There are always lessons to be learned from our differences. God’s design for our differences is that they be complementary. They are not intended to divide us, but to unite us. God’s design for marriage is that it will stimulate our spiritual, intellectual, and emotional growth. When we look for the lessons in our differences, we will find them and benefit from them.

When we view our differences as irritations, we typically deliver sermons of condemnation to our spouse that become personal character attacks. Such criticisms build icy blocks of resentment. However, once we understand that our differences are designed to be positive not negative, we can replace condemnation with words of affirmation. Both partners in a marriage need to feel appreciation rather than condemnation. Mutual affirmation creates an atmosphere for positive change.

ferences. Once you have established a pattern of affirmation and cooperation, you can begin to explore a plan for maximizing your differences. A plan assumes intentionality. And that’s exactly what it takes – intentionality. Recognize, accept, celebrate and affirm your differences. They are part of God’s design and plan for your spiritual, intellectual, and emotional growth. n Gary Moore served as associate pastor at Cloverdale Church of God for 15 years. He does couples’ coaching and leads couples’ workshops and retreats called MUM’s the Word. He does a weekly radio program called Life Point Plus on KBXL 94.1FM at 8:45 a.m. on Fridays. Monday mornings at 10 a.m. he does live relationship teaching called MUM Live on his Facebook page Mutual Understanding Method. He may be contacted at glmoore113@gmail.com.