Cryptic Messages

Sometimes I feel like I need a degree in cryptography to read through my daily email. You know what I’m talking about. We could write a glossary of all the classic email idiosyncrasies these days. Do these sound familiar?

Cap-less Wonders: the strain of pressing the shift key has become an onerous chore for these individuals -- and the extra key-stroke for a comma or period is equally exhausting

Non-Checkers: You’ll lose at least a week waiting for a reply from them. “I don’t check my email much” is their only excuse (often said with a slight air of puzzling arrogance).

One-Liners: Regardless of the length or significance of your original message, their response will contain 10 words or less. (These types often fall into the “Cap-less Wonders” group as well, and they frequently sell items on ebay or Craigslist.)

Dot-dot-dotters: …have very few finite thoughts… since every phrase ends with “…”

Spell-Check Snubbers: theytake no value in providnig their recpient wiht a pleasant reading ecxperience.

Text Jargoners: Real words? Wat4? These folks may even be offended if you don’t follow your thoughts with the appropriate “wink.” ;-) lol!

I’m sure several specific individuals came to mind as you read through that list. Even if you’re corresponding with a total stranger, it only takes a couple messages to decipher their particular email characteristics, right?

Here’s the good news / bad news: it’s the same way in our Christian life and witness to others. It’s easy to forget that those around us are constantly evaluating us – both strangers and people we’ve known for years – believers and non-believers. All our conversations, actions and interactions are essentially like messages being sent to their mental “inboxes.” The question is, into what category do we fall in these people’s minds?

So let’s reflect for a minute. Based on our normal daily conversations and/or lifestyle choices, would we be put into categories such as this?
- Sunday-only believer
- Perpetual gossiper
- Coarse joker
- Scornful onlooker
- Attention seeker
- Reluctant server

Or would we be better characterized by titles like this?
- Faithful believer
- High-integrity communicator
- Cheerful giver
- Positive encourager
- Humble hearted
- Willing servant

In 1 Corinthians 10:31-33, Paul wrote, “Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God… For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.”

As believers, let’s do our best at all times to characterize our lives with Godly outgoing messages.

- Ron Reid