The Weekly Encourager – November 26, 2013 – The Ugly Christian

There was a novel called “The Ugly American” which showed two different approaches to achieving political success in Communist countries. The typical American approach was unsuccessful because of arrogance and failure to recognize the local culture. The term “Ugly American” came to symbolize how poorly most Americans presented themselves when traveling abroad. They would be loud, boisterous, and rude, always assuming that American ways were superior to the ways of the country they were visiting, never trying to blend in with the other culture. The classic meme is a portly Texan who tries to order something in a European restaurant. When the waiter fails to understand his English request, the American just repeats it louder and louder until he's yelling! Obviously, that's not going to get anywhere. Another cultural reality is Americans expanding their own hotel chains into foreign countries, providing the American traveler with a total experience very similar to what he would get back in the US; in fact, he need hardly know he's in a foreign country. One chain's slogan says it all: “The best surprise is no surprise.”

Today I am proud to say that many Americans do try to learn something about the countries they visit. They do buy phrase books or use apps to help them speak a bit of the local language. They do mingle with locals. There are exceptions, though, like the two ladies I met in a Paris metro station a few weeks ago. Dave and I were walking along talking in English, and these two ladies in front of us halted and came back to interrupt our discussion. “Thank God you're speaking in English!” said the first. “I'm just so tired of hearing French!” They went on to say that they had re-named the crowded Les Halles metro stop “Hell” and they were not enjoying Paris, although this was their second time there. Everything in me wanted to reply, why did you come to France expecting to hear English? Why don't you get a phrase book? But that wouldn't begin to address the underlying attitude these women had. Ignorance and arrogance are a powerful pair. Although these women were physically beautiful and quite well-dressed, they were the embodiment of the Ugly American.

What does this have to do with us? I kept thinking about those ladies who were such poor ambassadors for America in a foreign land. Since a child, I have never wanted to be the Ugly American. But am I the Ugly Christian? The Spirit reminded me that I am an ambassador for Jesus Christ whenever and wherever I go out in the world. Does my language and behavior show interest in and respect for those I meet? Or do I expect the world to conform to me? Do I make efforts to form friendships with unbelievers? Or do I stay among my own kind, in a Christian chain? I jotted down these phrases: Be kind. Winsome ways. Don't shout (literal and figurative). Respect local traditions. Guess what? These things apply no matter where I am, around the world or around the neighborhood. Local traditions may include those of my family-in-law, some of whom we'll be seeing over the holidays. What I do among the unsaved will form Christ's reputation in their minds.

There are times in my life when strangers have been be so kind to me, in some cases rescuing me from difficult situations, that I have wondered if they were angels in disguise. As a believer, I want to act like those people. I want to conduct myself with such love and grace and thoughtfulness and care and generosity, that each person I encounter looks back wondering, was that an angel in disguise? Wouldn't it be wonderful if all the relatives and friends and colleagues we see this Thanksgiving and Christmas would think that about us Christians?

Lord, please don't let me be the Ugly Christian this holiday season! As I look upon Your exquisite beauty, may I reflect it more and more, so that others will want to know You.

God is faithful,