Name tags, buying chips and Dubstep

Recently, I was at the grocery store buying some chips and other junk food for a student ministry event, when I noticed the guy at the cash register. Yes, I buy junk food for my students in the ministry.  They aren't exactly begging for asparagus and baked chicken.  "Hey kids, let's hang out and eat some awesome baked chicken and asparagus.  Dessert will be pistachio pudding!"  Anyway, my cashier was wearing this name tag that caught my attention.  On his name tag was the following: "Name: Dave   Ask Me About: Dubstep".  So I did what the name tag asked me to do.  I asked him to tell me about Dubstep.  He went on to tell me all the grand things of the musical genre "Dubstep" and why he likes it so much. Now, I personally, do not like Dubstep because I don't see it as a musical genre that takes much talent to create.  I'm sure some would differ with me, but that is what makes the world so interesting.  The ability to discuss differences, not Dubstep. Anyway, in our brief encounter, I learned the history of Dubstep, where it was started, his favorite Dubstep artist, and how the artist "Skrillex" has made the genre so public.  My new friend, Dave, truly knew and loves Dubstep.  He wants to spread the "gospel" of Dubstep to all who will lend him an ear!

Here are just a few of my thoughts from this short, probably 4 minute, interaction with Dave:

• What if we had to wear a name tag for everyone to see? 
• Think about this.  You woke up one morning and had to wear a name tag that not only has your name on it, but what is most important to you.  How would we feel about this? Would you be happy about the fact that everyone now get's to know some pretty personal things about you? We all like to hide.  Certain people know our names.  Even fewer people know who we really are.  What if everyone you came into contact with, whether you know them or not, got to know two very personal things about you, (1) your name and; (2) what is most important to you?

• What one thing would we want them to ask us about?
• Our lives reflect what is important to us. I thought of this.  What would I put and have people ask me about? Well of course, my first answer would be "Jesus", but think of this.  Many of us, as believers, would put this, right? Well if we do not have to wear a name tag now, why do we tend to keep our walk with Christ so secret.  We can talk about anything, but if Jesus is the most important thing in our life, as Dave's was Dubstep, we should want people to know that we are follower's of Christ.  Right?!  Many of us would rather talk about sports, fishing, or even crocheting than share someone the eternal, soul saving gospel of Christ.

• Would we want that one thing put on our name tag?
• We like to hide things in our lives that are embarrassing, but it is many of those things that are the most important to us.  Would we want people to know that the things we struggle with?  No, Dave did not put "My Addiction to Pornography" or "My anger problems" or even "How God does not love me", but how many people do we come across daily (maybe ourselves even) who if brutally honest, would have to lie and not put what is really, going on in our lives? I mean, how many teenagers put "Ask Me About: Clarinet" when they really want to put, "Why I cut myself and can't seem to stop" or "Why I feel like I'm the cause of my parent's divorce". Funny the things we want people to know about us, when the more important things that concern us we tend to hide from even our closest friends.

•  It was very easy to start a conversation with Dave because I took the time to notice him.
• I'm not always good at doing this.  Yes, we all live very busy lives.  From work life, home life, social life, school life, hobbies, etc. are schedules are filled up before we can get our calendars out. Think of this though as you go about your busy life: How many people do we come across everyday and we never take the time to notice them? Try this.  Pick a day and try to keep a record of how many people you come into contact with.  You don't have to write their names down, just write a number.  How many of those did you purposely try to get to know?  How many did you make eye contact with? How may were just looking for someone to notice that they exist?  Think about this the next time you are in such a rush.

In just this short encounter with Dave, I did not just learn about Dubstep.  I had to think of how I am with other people and am I truly reflecting the One that I say is most important with my life.  I'm thankful that I don't have to wear a name tag for people to ask me about Jesus.  I get to live a life that gets people asking questions.  I pray that each time someone wants to ask me about Him, I'm ready to tell them everything. (1 Peter 3:14-17)

Just some Thoughts from Nobody Special.