I was driving home the other day while chatting on my cell phone, and since I was entering a part of the city where construction was being done, I tried to be especially attentive. I was almost home and knew which lane I needed to be in so that I would not have to change lanes farther down the road. The lane I was in did not end but the lane on my right fed into my lane due to the construction.

I was just minding my own business and thinking about home when I noticed that the pickup truck next to me was not slowing down or speeding up to get around me. It suddenly dawned on me that he was apparently oblivious to the fact that he was the one who was supposed to yield as he tried to move into my lane! I wasn’t in a hurry so I slowed down to let him in, even though we were both about even with each other. He moved over and I didn’t think much about it, until I passed by him when he was slowing down to turn off. As I looked over at him he raised his middle finger and arm in an undignified gesture, which is known as getting “flipped off” if you are the recipient, or “flipping someone off” if you are the originator.

I must admit, many years ago when I was not a Christian, there were times when I initiated a gesture like that. And I wish I could tell you that, as a Christian, it did not bother me to be “flipped off” by that young man, but in actuality, it infuriated me! I was the one being nice and courteous, and all I got in return was a raised middle finger! By the time I reached the house I had settled down – plus my wife had encouraged me (over the phone) not to let it get to me .

As I drove home, I began to think about my situation in terms of evangelism…something an evangelist does on occasion. It seems that many Christians today who actually have the right motives and desire to help other people are often intimidated by the thought of possibly getting “the finger” of rejection when we try to help others (sorry for the word picture!). No one that I have ever encountered enjoys rejection – we all tend to shy away from it. But Jesus did share that the Holy Spirit of God would come to help empower us (Acts 1:8) with some boldness (not arrogance), which was meant to help us stand for the right – even in the face of wrong.

God’s grace not only helps us as we do our best to live a life that brings glory to God, but His grace also allows those who do not know Him the opportunity to sense their need for a right relationship with God. God cares so much about all of us that he intentionally goes out of his way to help us face reality…a reality that reveals our need of Him. I’m sure glad that even though there may be times when we get the “finger” of rejection, God will always be there whenever we call upon Him to welcome us into His presence. What an awesome God!