Look for the Bracelet

I would be remiss to act like this blog entry was totally an original thought from me. Rather, it stems from an article that my good friend Kenley sent me for laughs. As usual, my loving friends are always on the lookout for articles that will cause thought processes to come about, in turn creating some creative release of that newly inherited information.

The article shined a humorous light on the often secretive practice of subtle Christian searching. Don't act like you haven't done it. You make small talk with the guy in line next to you. After the initial left ring finger check, you begin to gauge his religious standing based on ridiculous outward signs.

In a world where it's hard to find someone who is on the same page spiritually, we seem to hang on tightly to any hope we have -- even if it's in the form of a wooden cross necklace that protrudes from his button up shirt when he leans over to pick something up. Our heart skips a beat as we realize that necklace has to mean...has to mean something, right?

Or why do elusive Bible verse references make us excited when thrown into normal conversation? If I am making my way through a crowd and some guy goes, "Look out, she's parting the Red Sea here," I would probably immediately stop in my tracks. I would proceed to grab my white chocolate mocha that I ordered and tote Mr. Moses-referencer with me.

The author of the article ends her thoughts with certain tip-offs that we subconsciously look out for in our search for I Corinthians 13 love. They range from the turning of a frontal hug into a side hug all the way to whether or not they reference their career as a "calling." Then you have the True Love Waits ring and WWJD bracelet to look out for. Not to mention those who answer "How are you?" with "I am very blessed."

This honest look at our sometimes irrational behavior was mostly in fun; we have all been guilty of searching the outside of the glass, when the inside has the potential to be completely empty. Perhaps we have even felt that described our own life at times. We should always remember Matthew 6:1, 5-6:

"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

Instead of checking a girl's True Love Waits ring, why not search her for a pure and loving heart? Rather than be elated that your cute waiter has a cross necklace on, why not make sure he bears the cross daily in his own life? Tip-offs aren't a bad thing necessarily unless the discovery stops there. Before you give your heart to someone, make sure their life fits their e-mail sign off...and make sure the person really is...

In His Service.