Tolerance

Tolerance is a word I have most often heard in relation to mechanical tolerances.  The Japanese have long been known for their close tolerances in their mechanical parts.  That's part of what makes them last so long.  Compare the engine of a Model T to one in a Lexus.  It's hard to believe they are both the same kind of machine.  The closer tolerances of the Lexus make the engine purr rather than rattle and clank like the Model T.

In more recent days I have heard tolerance used as a way to describe my feelings toward those who are not like me.  I am, being politically correct, to be tolerant of those who have a different lifestyle than mine.  Funny how many times those persons aren't tolerant of where I am.

So does God just call us to be tolerant of people?  That seems so negative.  Like I just can't hardly stand to be with someone but I'll suck it up and make the best of it.  Hopefully, it won't last long.  I'm sure when I am being merely "tolerant" that the other person is able to pick that up.  My smile is fake and they know it.  Trust me, God doesn't need us to "act" tolerant.

What I've found as the Father has healed my heart is that I am more genuinely tolerant of others.  I'm even patient with their dysfunction, not just tolerant of it.  I'm even compassionate of the place they find themselves in.

What changed all that?

When I was hurting so badly I couldn't think of any one else but me.  I was in pain so I needed all the attention and sympathy I could get.  My pain was sticking out all over so I didn't have more than a second or two of tolerance for someone else's behavior.  Wow!  Sounds a lot like a 2 year old.

As the Father has healed my wounds I have found that I have more compassion for the misbehaviors, if you will, of others.  I see people in the traffic here in DC with microseconds of patience with the other vehicles and their drivers.  It's hard not to judge them but as I remember and am reminded by the Holy Spirit I pray for them and bless them.  They are hurting and don't have the capacity to give others room in their lives...or room in their lane of traffic.

As I have come to know the Father more intimately I have relaxed a whole bunch.  Talk to those who know me well (my wife).  I'm not the same person...and no, it's not the medication I'm on.

It's because I know I don't have to fight for space in this world.  I am a child of my Father.  He loves me.  He cares for me.  He is with me wherever I go.  He comforts me.  He has great patience with me.  He has tolerated me in my sin for a long time.  As I receive His love, experience His patience with me and know how He feels about me as one of His children I can love others.  I can give them the grace they need.  I can demonstrate the love of the Father for them.  I can have mercy when they are so wounded that they can't think of any one else.

That clanking engine in the Model T reminds me of the scripture in Corinthians that says that without love we are like a clanging bell.  Not a pleasant sound.

Let me suggest you stop trying to "love" or be "tolerant" of others.  Your efforts are going to come across as fake to those who hurt.  Stop long enough to let the Father love you, heal your wounds and pour grace on your wounded soul.  Then your "tolerance" will come across as that Lexus and will purrrrrrrr....right into the heart of the one you are loving.

Is it OK?

It's a small world.  Friends of mine were recently in Rehobeth for some vacation.  One of the friends knows how to speak PA Dutch.  She gets a kick out of finding someone like Amish people who are out of their element, saying something to them in Dutch and watching their reaction.

That happened.  She spoke to the husband of the couple and they struck up a conversation.  In the course of the conversation my friend realized that this Amish couple may know me because they have a store in Spartensburg, PA.  She mentioned my name and the wife's eyes lit up.  They were off to the races then.

My Amish friends are a wonderful couple and I enjoyed visiting them when I made my rounds in their area as I sold fabric.  My visits weren't all just about how much fabric I could sell.  They got into the personal.  The spiritual.  The real part of my customers' lives.

The same was true with this couple.  We talked often about our relationship with the Father and what He was doing in the world.

Of course, they wanted to know where I was.  My other English friends told them about my job in Washington, DC with the Veterans Affairs.  They were a bit surprised and suggested that maybe since I was spiritual that it was unusual to find me here.

So where are Christians supposed to be?  What are we supposed to be?  Last time I checked we were to be in the world but not of the world.  We are to be salt and light wherever we go.  Can I do that working for the government?  Certainly.  I am a child of the King wherever I find myself.

Are there needy hearts in Washington?  Are their needy hearts on the Metro each morning and evening?  Are there needy hearts in my office?

Haven't had any trouble finding them so far!

What are we as Christians supposed to be doing in the world?  We are to serve.  We are to love.  We are to be available where the Holy Spirit needs us to be.  As we love we create an atmosphere where people can smell the scent of the Father.  As we serve we are ambassadors for Christ.  As we give of ourselves we usher in the presence of the Holy Spirit so He can speak to hearts and woo those around us.

We can also do just the opposite.  We can create static by our inconsistencies and aid the enemy by our lack of integrity.  Someone told me this weekend about a fellow who attended church diligently, came to football practice where he was the coach with his suit on, fresh from church...and proceeded to curse the players out with language that would make a sailor blush.  My guess is that his testimony wasn't met with awe but rather disgust.

When I was pastoring in Mountville, PA I used to go into the local bar across the street every morning to get my paper.  They came to know me during my ever so brief stops and eventually called me Father Murphy.  Some time later someone came to interview me about my pastorate and they made the comment that they would never darken the door of a bar.  It just wasn't the right thing for a Christian to do.  Are we to leave the dark places to the enemy and hide in the light?  Or are we to take the light into the dark places?

Seems simple but we get sidetracked so easily.  God is calling all of us who profess to be followers of Christ to serve and to love wherever we find ourselves.  It's okay to be salt and light in dark places.  It's good for us to press forward into battle in the territory of the enemy wherever you think that might be.

My Father hasn't called me to be a judge of the world but a lover of the people of the world so He can reach them.  It's OK.  I'm under cover for the Father.  How about you?