Agent of Grace

  Not long ago I enrolled in a one-week course of study preparing me for my license to sell property and casualty insurance. I was unaware of the many laws involved, or that there was so much information one must know simply to hold the office of agent. Desperately trying to keep up with the instructor's pace, I found myself frantically writing down nearly every word he spoke. I now realize that I learned far more than just insurance laws and procedures during that week-long cram-session. One day my instructor said something that spoke more to my spiritual than to my academic side. He was advising us to always be aware of whom we represent, and to be careful of the power that comes with the position. He made us aware that anything we wrote in a policy that the insurance company normally tried to avoid would automatically obligate the company to fulfill that promise.

This is how he said it: "The words and actions of the agent are the words and actions of the principal." My mind immediately left all thoughts of insurance and began pondering what spiritual significance this statement held. Laying my pen on the table, I began thinking how I as a Christian (the agent) have said or done many things that would definitely not be the words or actions of God (the Principal). Yet those very words or actions became His because I am His agent or representative.

I remember an old song that asked the question: "When the world looks at me, do they see Jesus?" When the world witnesses me saying or doing something stupid, they automatically associate it with God: "I can't believe Mike would say or do something like that; I thought he was a Christian!" They always seem to associate the Christian's bad side, problems or mistakes with God. It's too bad they never associate anything good I might have said or done with Him, because that is the only thing I should not get the credit for.

So many people assume that because I write an Inspirational column, I must be a perfect Christian. I receive mail from folks all over the world, many asking for spiritual advice or for my prayers concerning specific situations. I hate to break the news to you, but I am the worst Christian I know. I am constantly doing and saying things that I quite frankly should have refrained from. I sometimes lack compassion for people, and to be honest with you, my prayer life has much room for improvement.

I've noticed I become less Christ-like each time I get behind the wheel of a vehicle. I lose nearly all patience or civility. So now when someone cuts me off on the highway and I call him or her an idiot, I realize I become guilty of putting those very words into the mouth of Christ. I'm working harder and harder at being a better representative of Him, but I do fall short every day. However, I have found the solution. It's quite simple, yet so difficult at the same time. If I constantly repeat the words and actions of Christ, then I will ultimately become a better Christian. If I can consciously keep my words and actions the same as His, then I will not cause Him to say or do things He would never be guilty of Himself. I'm only able to do this by making my prayer life a more consistent feature in my daily routine, as well as giving my Bible study time a higher place in my priorities.

We give Christ a "bad name" when people catch us doing or saying things that Christ would never be guilty of himself. Remember the bracelets with W. W. J. D. on them: What Would Jesus Do? Maybe we should revise them to read W. W. I. M. J. D.: What Will I Make Jesus Do? Remember, even at your very worst you are still representing God's Very Best.