Really? Every week?

I began this post yesterday, but didn't get a chance to finish it... so, now I will :-)

A short while ago I had an interesting exchange with another person in the office. He overheard me listening to a sermon and asked who I was listening to. When I said John Piper, he got a puzzled expression on his face and said he'd never heard of the guy. We talked a little about Piper and then my co-worker asked if I like "that kind of stuff." I sort of held back a chuckle and smiled and said, "Yes, I do." He then responded with what sounded like a disappointed "Oh." Rather than let the conversation end with that I asked "Why do you ask?" Here he said he was just curious and then mentioned that he attends a certain church, which will remain nameless. I appeared somewhat surprised (which I was), which bothered him, and even asked if he went every week, which also bothered him. Thankfully, I then asked him if he enjoyed it (since the church is somewhat large) and managed to dig myself out of the hole I'd begun digging.

Ok, so what am I sharing this for? First of all, I was reminded that I definitely lack tact sometimes. Aside from that it got me thinking about why I was surprised to hear he attended this particular "Christian" church. I was surprised precisely because I wouldn't have picked him out as a Christian in the place I work. Rather than go into all the reasoning behind my judgment (whether it was a good or bad judgment), I'd like to change the subject slightly.

I wonder if I am a person that others would pick out as a Christian? If I met up with another Christian in similar circumstances, would he or she be surprised if I mentioned what church I went to? Do I live as if Christ makes a difference in my life? How do I walk by the Spirit in the small things that occupy my time each day?

I suppose these are just some questions that I would challenge you (if you are a Christian) to think about. I pray that I will ask myself the last two questions for the rest of my life. May God use you greatly today in both the spectacular and seemingly meaningless tasks He has set before you this day; and may He be glorified in what He does through you!