Dear ones, we are misunderstood.

I currently work in a customer service job for a commercial insurance company. I take many calls from people who are newer to trucking, taxi driving, and the like — or they have been in the business for some time but have never previously been covered by the company I represent. And it is my job to answer their billing questions. I was not a math-accounting major in higher ed, and I have not taken a math class since high school geometry. But my years as an ESL educator and as a counseling major have prepared me for this job.

I often have to take wording and numbers from written communication and try to translate them into terms that salt of the earth (and salty) individuals can understand. Some people are already frustrated when the call starts, but I am able to help them calm down and reach a place of reason and solution. Other people start off calm but confused, yet end up disconnecting the call on me mid-response. And some people just flat out start mad and end even madder, reminding me of the ugly side of human nature that needs an extra smattering of God’s grace.

There are times when I explain something methodically and the caller tracks with me and can say, “Got it, that makes sense now.” But there are other times when I have to explain it over and over again on one call or in a series of interactions. In the latter cases, sometimes those people will still be frustrated and not understand. But the situations that are perhaps the most rewarding are the ones in which we’ve had to go over it all 2+ times and then there is the light bulb moment and the relief in their voice when it all comes together, and they feel empowered to understand their own rights or business or options.

Jesus said that we, as followers of Him, would face trouble, but He called us to have peace and take heart in the midst of it (John 16:33). And in 1 Corinthians 1, Paul clearly points to the idea that what we understand, know, and embrace will seem like foolishness, insanity, and nonsense to the non-believer.

We will be misunderstood.

Some people who see and hear us will never understand.

But others will understand after they have seen and heard a certain number of times.

And every now and then, you or I will be fortunate enough to be the one who gets to explain it one (last) time and see the beauty of another’s light bulb moment.

But while I have continued to learn, over the past many months, of ways to answer questions more clearly and concisely, the procedures of my employer and the truths I need to convey have not really changed.

Likewise, in the face of those around us misunderstanding what we know to be true — in the face of their rejection or anger or mocking: we must not water down the core message, nor should we be ashamed.

Just because what is communicated is not understood does not make it any less true, good, or right.

So, stand up today — stand strong. Run the risk of being misunderstood by the many for the sake of the ones near you who need to hear or see Jesus. Again.

Be who you are. And take heart. The One we adore has been misunderstood for millenia.