Leaving Brisbane I was selected to undergo a full body scan. I had to remove everything from my pockets, stand in the middle of the scanner, raise my arms, and let the electromagnetic waves wash over me, all the while being assured by the officials that there was no danger of cancer or other health issues. To my credit I restrained myself - with great effort - from asking if the scan was conclusive proof I have a brain or was likely to activate any previously dormant super-powers. My wife was waiting for me and simply commented, "Trust you to get picked out."
When we were leaving Queenstown once again I was asked to step to one side whilst the security officer checked my bag and my clothes for what I can only assume was explosive or drug residue. I had a chat with him and discovered he was a Christian, we discussed mutual authors/teachers we enjoy, and as I left he farewelled me with, "Have a good flight, Pastor. God bless." Once again my wife was waiting for me, but this time had given thought to my ongoing relationship with airport security and said, "You know what it is? You're just too friendly."
I thought about it. Am I too friendly? It seems that each time I have gone overseas I have been stopped for some sort of scan, search or swab. I thought it was because I look suspicious (not very likely), or have that suave 'James Bond' charisma (highly probable), but maybe she was right, maybe I'm just too friendly.
Whenever I go anywhere I like to chat. I chat to people in shops, restaurants, airports (obviously), coffee shops, sporting venues, pretty much anywhere. I like people and I like to hear their stories and their perspective on life. People interest me and I learn from them. I like to listen more than talk (which will astonish my friends), which means that people tend to talk to me. But apparently, when I'm chatty with airport security it raises their suspicions that I have something to hide and I should be investigated.
My wife is really rather clever, and I think she has a point. Airport security pick me out because they think I'm being chatty to cover up my nefarious agenda. Which made me feel sad. After all, since when has being friendly aroused suspicion? But when I really considered it, it's true, when a person, a stranger, is overly friendly we are suspicious that they have an agenda to manipulate us, sell us something, or otherwise take advantage of our good nature.
Is that the world we live in? Is it really a place where being friendly, too friendly, is a cause for suspicion? Is it a place where being chatty and liking people infers that there is some undisclosed agenda? Unfortunately, all too often, that is exactly the sort of world we live in.
So I am determined to bravely defy social conventions and challenge presuppositions and be friendly, chatty and gregarious. And I'm going to bring in the big guns to support my crusade because I think Jesus was a friendly person and would probably have been stopped by airport security as well!
I think Jesus was more than friendly, I think he was over friendly. He stopped and talked to the people the social conventions of his time required that he didn't. He talked to lepers, outcasts, prostitutes, tax collectors, Romans, Samaritans, in fact he seemed to take delight in striking up conversations with the kinds of people that no one else would. I think Jesus was chatty. I don't think (because I'm a realist and not super-spiritual) that every conversation Jesus had was about the kingdom of God and spiritual truth. Believe me, you don't get invited to too many wild parties if you're like that, and Jesus was invited to those parties, it's in the gospels.
In a world of suspicion and distrust being friendly and outgoing with no agenda or ulterior motive is an act of rebellion. You might almost say like being a light in a dark world. I don't mean *politely* friendly, I mean taking the time to chat, listen, care and laugh (possibly cry) with the people you meet. And yes, people will be suspicious; and yes, people will think you have an agenda; and yes, shopping and daily activities will take longer than they used to; and yes, you will get stopped and questioned and swabbed and scanned at airports - but the rebellion is worth it!
So airports of the world be warned! I don't travel very often, but when I do, I will be friendly! And you will stop me, and I will chat to you, and I will defy your presuppositions, and I will hopefully bring a little cheer to your day. And if it occurs that the next time I go on a flight I don't get stopped I will take it as a sign that I am doing something wrong and will have to try harder.
