Leading the Expectations

 “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness.” Proverbs 31:26

Yesterday’s devotional told the story of being seated at a table with an angry man. Dinner the next night created quite the opposite atmosphere. This time, we were seated with three other couples. One husband and wife were Asian, soft-spoken, and hard to hear or understand from our seats across a large table in a crowded, noisy room. Another husband and wife were from Minnesota, talkative and friendly. The third husband and wife were from Florida and as we quickly learned, were born-again believers who were open and comfortable talking about their church lives, their pastor, their trips to Israel, Scriptures, and so forth.

When our appetizers came, the Christian man said kindly, “Do you mind if we give thanks to God for this food? And—I know this might be out there for some of us—but could we all hold hands around the table? It brings us together.”

My husband and I were comfortable with this arrangement, of course, but the Minnesotans quietly submitted to the prayer, and the Asians looked quite out of place and uncomfortable. But everyone participated, and he was right—we did feel more like a family after that.

I’ve never been one to step out boldly in a group of strangers. And I’m sure that is no excuse for never doing so. The man wasn’t pushy—he was quite kind about it. But he was definitely in control of the situation, much as I imagine Jesus would be.

I can’t help but wonder how it would have gone if this Christian man had been at our table with the same request the night before with the angry man! Would it have changed the course of conversation? Would it have been as unifying? Would it have created an atmosphere—an expectation—of polite behavior, kind words, without fault-finding? Would it have opened the door for a conversation about praying for our leaders instead of belittling them?

How about in our homes? Is someone leading in prayer—leading in expectations for kindness, getting along, polite words, good behavior? In some homes I’ve visited, that’s asking a lot, I know. But godliness does rub off on people. The righteous are being watched by others who are looking for the difference between Christians and everyone else. Are we what we say we are? Perhaps more importantly, are we what we think we are? Is our image of ourself as a follower of Jesus Christ coming across in words, attitudes, and actions?

We need to take this to prayer. Am I able to lead out in prayer with unbelievers? Am I bold and confident in my walk with Christ? Can I share my faith when I’m in a situation that calls for it? Do I conduct myself as one who expects good behavior from others?

Lord, we need Your help and discernment in these matters. Give us a holy boldness to lead in prayer when prayer is needed. Help us to share our faith in You by our words and actions. Show us how to speak and behave in a way that causes others to desire to know You. Amen.