Masquerade

Thursday night I went to a little party/meet & greet for someone running for a political office at a VERY posh home in Dallas.  I enjoy meeting new people and dressing nice now and then, but I honestly felt out of place.  I knew I didn't belong.  I find it difficult to be in a group where you don't know the agendas or intentions of those around you.  It didn't seem like they were being real or themselves.  It was strange; everyone seem to have exactly the same attitude.  I haven't quite pinpointed what that attitude (or spirit) was, but it was akin to fashionable indifference, a kind of strained politeness; a masquerade.  (This scene was in stark contrast to the various loving and accepting environments to which I have become accustomed in recent years.)  Do you ever go somewhere and once aware of your surroundings, you start to observe the crowd, unconsciously seeking, not just a friendly face, but a familiar presence--someone you are drawn to?  For me, it doesn't matter if it's a 12 year-old kid with a camera or an elderly person with a cane; I usually end up connecting on some level about something with someone.  Well, I stood there pondering this, and realized that I wasn't particularly drawn to anyone--except, maybe, the adorable curly-headed youngsters running about. 

I was struck by something else, as well.  Based on the strong values and conservative nature of the honored candidate, I figured it was reasonable to assume that most of the individuals present were Christians.  But, honestly, if I had simply walked into the house off the street, not knowing anyone or the nature of the meeting, I wouldn't have had a clue if they loved God or had any relationship with Him.  I'm not saying that I would rather not associate with non-Christians or that I would have felt out of place because of it.  Rather, I had to ask myself a question.  Shouldn't the love of Christ shine through us?  Even if we don't say a word, shouldn't there be something, in our demeanor, our speech, our behavior, the way we greet each other, the atmosphere of our dwelling places, that is a clue to where we stand with Him?  [Matthew 5:16; Galatians 5:22-23?] Hmm.  I know I still have a long way to go in this, but I hope that someday, strangers can walk into my house and know, not only that they are welcomed, but want to be there because the Spirit of God is there. 

Towards the end of the meeting I met a nice lady near the catered refreshments.  She described herself as Baptist and Pentecostal.  When I asked where she went to church, she looked uncomfortable.  She said she currently wasn't attending anywhere, as she was still trying to convince her husband to come with her.  He grew up Methodist, but more in name than anything, and didn't understand why she'd want to be "in church multiple days a week."  I could see that she felt a little hopeless about it, but that she definitely loved her husband and wanted to please him as well.  My heart truly hurt for her.  How painful it would be, to be married to someone for years and not be in agreement with them on a spiritual level...

This particular evening definitely gave me some good food for thought.  By the way, it really isn't kosher when someone at least twice your age is obviously flirting with you.  I found myself wondering which is worse: close physical proximity, or being within eyeshot?