I lie to the first 35 people I see every day.
Here’s how it goes, see if you can spot the lie:
Me: Good morning! How are you doing this morning?
Them: Good, how are you?
Me: I am doing fantastic! Your total is $2.34, and your drink will be right out! Can’t believe how great the weather is today… (insert other topical reference to current events, etc)
See, I have a secret. I am gaining a reputation as the guy who is always in a good mood at work. But the truth of the matter is that I am often tired, angry, frustrated, or something else. But the only person who gets to see that side of me is Jesus (and my wife, at times). People don’t come to Starbucks to hear what a tough season of life this is for the barista.
And I don’t think I’ve ever woken up at 4:00 AM and had a pleasant thought. That’s why I wake up an hour before my shift–I’ve got to get all the crappy thoughts out of my head in time to not do something at work that renders me unpromotable. It is in my job description to “create inspired moments” for my customers. So I have to be inspired in order to do the inspiring. Even if it requires some acting.
The funny thing about it? My acting as though I’m in a great mood every morning has actually made it such that, by the 36th person, I actually am in a good mood. I fool myself into buying my own hype. My good mood rubs off on others, too. Difficult customers become laughing regulars. Grumpy coworkers become motivated partners.
Every person you meet today is a potential new boss, new client, new reference for your résumé, or–if you are a Christian–potential new believer.
I’m not suggesting we pretend to be happy when we aren’t as a bait-and-switch ministry tool. I’m suggesting that we excel at our jobs. That in turn will lead to happy results at work–promotions, commendation, and the like–as well as a boon to our witnessing efforts.
So I guess you could say that I lie to people for Jesus’ sake.