A few weeks ago, the city of New Orleans reopened one of its most recognizable landmarks to the general public. Once known as the eighth wonder of the world, the Superdome was used as an evacuation shelter during Hurricane Katrina. However, the storm's winds and rain combined to rip sections of the roof off the building, eventually forcing the evacuation of everyone inside.
I watched the grand re-opening with interest for a number of reasons. While on a trip to the city in 1996, I met my wife for the first time. In addition, there was a football game to be played that evening. After all the events that had occurred there, I got chills as the minutes neared to kickoff.
Then something caught my attention.
Just as the announcers were making their final comments, the television station cut away to a live image of people running onto the field. A few minutes later, there was a mini-concert, headlined by the bands Green Day and U2. Later, the home team took the field and proceeded to win an emotional game whose outcome was never in doubt.
So why was I interested in a group of people running across the floor of the Superdome? The answer may surprise you.
In recent years, important football games have featured a pre-game or halftime show with a major singer or band. Because of the nature of a football field, the performers sing in the middle of the stadium, leaving the crowd a considerable distance from the musicians at all times. However, in an attempt to make the performance feel (and look) like a real concert, a number of spectators are allowed to get on the field and stand next to the stage. This creates the impression (to those watching on television, at least) that a concert is occurring, with adoring fans in close proximity to the singers. Of course, most of the 70,000 people in attendance were still in their seats watching the performance.
This got me thinking about the impressions we try to make on a daily basis. There will inevitably come times when we're not completely happy about something. Maybe it involved being overlooked for a promotion at work. Maybe a person we considered a friend wasn't around when their presence was needed. Maybe there was a disagreement about something.
I'm amazed that individuals who claim to know Jesus as Forgiver and Leader are so adept at manufacturing impressions that everything in life is under control (myself included). A notable example is an argument between husband and wife on the way to a gathering of friends that conveniently ends when the car doors open at their destination. These attitudes actually serve two purposes: a) they hide the true feelings, and b) they (in effect) say to others, "This type of attitude and concealment is okay and acceptable."
The question then becomes a simple one: Why?
Perhaps it's because we feel inadequate about something. Perhaps we're concerned about what others will think or say if they find out. Perhaps we've followed the mandate of popular culture to never show any sign of weakness, and in so doing, have created a suit of armor that we cannot get off.
Know that it's time to be real, because we were not created to be somebody different than ourselves.
While Jesus was on earth a few millennia ago, he never walked around the dusty streets of Israel trying to create a false impression about himself. When he was sad about the death of Lazarus, he didn't act stoic, but cried (see John 11:33-38). When he saw in a synagogue a man with a shriveled hand, I can imagine seeing his frustration with those gathered who wanted to see him break a law instead of perform something more miraculous (see Mark 3:1-6).
If there's one thing that God doesn't want his people to be, it's inauthentic. It makes the faith they claim to be shallow and prone to change with the next passing fad. Instead, he desires his people to be written letters that others can read to discover the true source of their hope, optimism, and love (see 2 Corinthians 3:2-5).
Being authentically real isn't easy to do. It involves being comfortable in who God has created you to be, while not being arrogant, pompous, and obnoxious at the same time. That's where love comes into play, as it helps us convey our feelings in ways that others can relate to effectively—after all, love shows patience, kindness, and trust, refusing to partner with pride, envy, and self-centeredness (see 1 Corinthians 13:4-7).
It's time to stop creating manufactured impressions of ourselves. And now is the perfect time to do it.
What are the impressions you've been making lately? What do you think people can read about you and your faith through the life you portray to them? What do you want them to read instead?
Think about these questions and answer them honestly. And as God refreshes you, may you in turn refresh others.
"My dear children, let's not just talk about love; let's practice real love. This is the only way we'll know we are living truly, living in God's reality. It's also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves."
—John, 1 John 3:18-20 (The Message)
"Love wins."
—Rob Bell1
1 Bell, Rob. NOOMA 009|Bullhorn (DVD). Flannel/Zondervan, Grand Rapids MI: 2004. A bumper sticker with the quote is prominently displayed in the production.
