Third Time's the Charm

Three times this week, from three different sources, I have heard this truth and I think I need to share it today.

My son posted a "tweet" this week relaying a conversation he'd had with a co-worker this week. My paraphrase goes something like this:

"Friend, you are the only Bible some people will ever read."

"Dude, those people are going to hell!"

Yesterday morning, my pastor preached an overview of the Book of Colossians and reminded us that we are instructed to live out Christ Who is within us.

Last night, my husband's church's youth choir presented their home concert following a week of choir tour. One very eloquent young lady spoke of the challenge of sharing Christ as they worked in and around a children's learning center without being able to openly speak about God, or sing about Jesus, or share a Bible verse. (This is America, land of the free, so we can't do those things in public.)

What do people know about you simply by watching you live your life? Do they see Christ in you?

If you are running late, are you a considerate driver or do you try to make up for lost time by forcing other drivers out of your path and yelling at them as you pass?

If a restaurant makes a mistake with your order, do you calmly request it be corrected or do you berate everyone in sight about things not being right?

If a sales clerk gives you too much change, do you stop and return it, or do you take it and think what a great blessing?

If someone says something unkind to you, do you say something even worse back to them or do you allow that person to have his say and quietly accept it?

If you are given a mundane chore, do you do it grudgingly or as though you were doing that chore for the Lord Himself?

A very long time ago, Charles M. Sheldon published In His Steps, about the life changes in a church's members once they were confronted by a needy man about their lifestyle of talk and no action. He then collapsed on the altar of the church and died. Those folks set about taking their pastor's challenge that was born of that event to apply this question to every action and decision in their lives, "What would Jesus Do?"

We have heard that in recent times, but it has become cliché. Few stop to really apply it, and yet, that is what Believers are called upon to do. We are called to a higher standard. We are called to stand out, but as a living, human vision of the Christ Who is within us. We are to be holy - set apart. Those around us should see something different in us and in our actions.

One of the most disappointing things in life is for a Believer to see the behavior of professing Believers and realize they are no different from anyone else in the world. It has happened with my daughter and her landlords who will sit and openly read their Bibles in the store, but treat her with condescension and sabotage her business. She watches them maneuver other people while pretending to be charming.

Lots of good people are not Believers. Unfortunately, lots of Believers are not good people.

Which are you? Do people read the Bible in you? Do they see Christ in you? Do they hear Him in your language? Do they see Him in your daily activities and work?

That's my challenge this week. To be a mirror to the world, a mirror that reflects Jesus, the Savior Who died in my place and rose to grant me the promise of eternal life in His presence.

One other note from the Home Concert, tears came to my eyes as one young man recalled a concert at Navy Pier in Chicago. It was a patriotic concert presented on July 4, I believe. Some seven or eight sailors and marines stood quietly at attention as the choir sang "God Bless America", then walked on. But in a few minutes, they were back and that time, before they walked away, one of them mouthed "Thank you" and blew them a kiss. They choir members will never forget that moment. They were deeply blessed by the small action of one sailor. He touched them with one small gesture. We can change this nation. We can change the world, beginning with a few small gestures.