Marshall, If a person works in a job that they have to put on a persona of being “harsh” and uncaring. Does the Lord care that our light isn’t shining through?

What a wonderful question, that I think gets to the very core of what it means to be a believer in this world.  I’ve no idea who wrote this question, but upon reading it I immediately thought of a good friend of mine back in Arkansas who is a Drug Enforcement Agent (DEA).  Next, my mind went to coaches (I’ve just finished Grishem’s new book, Playing for Pizza, where the coach, a very kind man, chews out the players at every single half-time whether they are winning or not to motivate them).  My short answer is yes.

However, I think that we must always struggle with our harshness and what it says about our hearts.  If it is truly a persona that is necessary in some cases I believe that is safe.  On the other hand, if it becomes the person, danger is at hand.  It seems reasonable to me that the power of negativity and harsh tones could infect the heart and any of us, so we must be careful that the persona doesn’t take over the person when it isn’t related to a few specific jobs. 

Finally, I would encourage any of us to strife to be light no matter what jobs we find ourselves in.  I believe that harshness might be necessary or best in the beginning in many situations, but we could in time, once a relationship is created find a place for love.  Ephesians 4:15: Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. For a great example of this I recommend any watch Dog Bounty  Hunter on A & E.