Visible Faith

As I sat in McDonald’s eating lunch, I noticed a Muslim woman sitting across from me. I had no idea where she was from, but I knew what faith she followed. I realized that this would not work in reverse. While she could make a guess, she couldn’t actually know what faith I followed by looking at me. Knowing would have taken conversation—she would have to ask me.

Should this bother me? Should my faith be clearly visible to the casual observer? The question sat there staring at me. I had to ignore it for a bit while I attended a meeting, but after that I had a chance to return its gaze. In what way should the public expression of my face be visible?

For some Christians this is done through dress or through accessories. They believe there should be a discernable difference between them and the unsaved people around them. Some wear clothing from a bygone era, some wear crosses, some wear t-shirts with Christian jargon, and some carry Bibles. Something visible to proclaim their allegiance—visible piety. But this isn’t how Jesus called us to express our faith.

Time and time again Jesus instructs us in a private piety: pray in solitude, keep your fasting private, give without bringing attention to yourself. True piety isn’t found in ostentatious displays of public worship, it isn’t found in religious trappings, and it isn’t found in garb or accessories. Rather, we find true piety in a radical compassion for others. The Christian walking down the street, sitting on the bus, or eating lunch at McDonald’s will look like everyone else. Christianity cannot be seen at a distance. We have to engage the world. Only when we enter into other’s lives and let them into our lives will Jesus be seen.

In what way should the public expression of my faith be visible? When I love my neighbor as myself.