My Best Self

How far will you go to win someone over?

To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some.  I do it all for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings. - 1 Corinthians 9:22-23

In today's reading, Paul confesses that he has presented himself in many ways in an effort to share the blessings of the Gospel to all.

Paul describes himself as the ultimate salesman.  In order to win over each group, he defines himself in terms that they would understand; he becomes one of them.  That doesn't sound honest, does it?

As I said, he's a salesman.  If what he was spreading was a lie, you might call him a con man.  But whether he is telling the truth or not, he is working hard to gain the confidence of all he encounters, and he is doing it for their own good.

Now before we bash all who make a living selling, let's take a close look at how we connect with people.

Don't we put on our best self when we meet someone new?

And when we discover that person is into sports or technology, don't we try to talk to him about those topics?

I can do those things and still be honest about myself, can't I?

If Paul were alive today, he would have a hard time keeping all his identities secret.  He would be called out as a fake or a phony on Facebook by each group that felt he was being false to them.

It is much harder today to be multifaceted, since our lives are so public and two-dimensional.  We are expected to fit into a category based on the attributes of those we have "Friended" or "Liked".

So, what is the lesson we can learn from Paul's confession of his chameleon-like nature?

Perhaps it is as simple as being the best self we can be to everyone, regardless of their interests, attitudes and beliefs.  And that may mean being more than a cardboard cutout or poster person for one cause or another.

Paul's motive was to share the Good News with many, so he appealed to many in many ways.

What's our motive in wanting to connect with the world?  Do we want to associate with people like us, or do we want to go beyond our borders?

If I find new interests by getting to know others, maybe I will grow and discover more about myself than I think I know now.  To you, that might look like I am trying to be something different to each person I encounter, but I think that is what we do when we seek to build relationships.

We stretch and change.  And in the process, we become real.

So, thanks, Paul, for being honest about your dishonesty, if that is what it is.

More to come...