Faith | Being ‘Mr. Nice Guy’ carries a different meaning for Christ followers
Standing in front of the large sign, I had to laugh out loud.
MR. NICE GUY
(ONE OF THE WORLD’S LARGEST CANNABIS DISPENSARIES.)
It was a pot shop, of course, boasting a full menu of snacks and smokes.
After snapping a couple of photos, I had to check out their web page. I was somewhat astonished to discover that they had a statement of purpose, with “Eight Internal Values.”
Make the world a better place.
Team makes the difference.
Speed in everything we do.
Consumer first.
Play to win.
Be a great partner.
Innovation—think forward & think big.
Do the right thing always.
As much as that might sound like a mission statement from some of the churches I have visited, marijuana and ministry do not go together—no matter how tasty the loaded munchies might be, or how pleasing killing off one’s brain cells might seem.
But what about this Mr. Nice Guy thing?
I’ve lived my whole life with cultural messages telling me to be a nice guy, live in a nice neighborhood, find a nice job, attend a nice church, marry a nice girl, and have a nice family. If I checked all of those boxes, I would have a nice life.
Nice is our American go-to adjective.
But let’s consider that.
Did you know that the root word of “nice” comes from the Latin term “nescius,” which means “ignorant” or “not knowing”? And you can throw in silly, foolish, careless, senseless, and frivolous.
In other words, it is very different from the way we use it today—as a synonym for being pleasant or agreeable. Over time, morphed by the shifting sands of culture and society, nice changed its appearance, but it hasn’t changed its heart.
Nice says to “make the world a better place.” Jesus says to go into all the world and proclaim his good news. He came, lived, died, rose again, and promised to return. And he is the only way to the Father and salvation.
Nice says the team makes the difference. Jesus prays for his people in John 17 to be one as he and the Father are one.
Nice says to be driven by speed. Jesus says that by patience you will possess your soul, your very life.
Nice says people are consumers. Jesus says you are witnesses for and worshipers of the true God.
Nice says play to win. Jesus says the greatest among you will be the one who serves others.
Nice says be a great partner. Jesus says lay down your life, take up your cross, and follow me.
Nice says to think big. Jesus says to pray big, have great faith in God, and greater works you will do.
Nice says, do the right thing. Jesus says you can’t do anything apart from me.
If you follow Jesus, you have a life mission to accomplish. Nice is a false and dreamy sense of security that will not get you across the finish line of life.
Like a drug, Nice will medicate your feelings and take the edge off your deepest desires, but it will be a major distraction. Nice will drain your energy, ultimately weakening your will to follow Jesus.
Nice will put you to sleep.
The Holy Spirit doesn’t need any more nice Christians. He needs mature, courageous believers who love mercy, do justice, and walk humbly with their God.
So stay awake and alert, clear-eyed and focused. As the apostle Paul wrote, fight the good fight, finish the race, stay faithful, and keep an eye open for his soon return. (2 Timothy 4:7-8)
Is that nice? You tell me. All I know is that it is true.
Rev. Micah Smith is president and founder of Global Gateway Network globalgatewaynetwork.org with offices in Richland. Questions and comments should be directed to editor Lucy Luginbill in care of the Tri-City Herald newsroom, 4253 W. 24th Ave., Kennewick, WA 99338. Or email lluginbill@tricityherald.com.
