In this crazy and ever-changing world it can be difficult to truly live as we are called to live. The Bible talks a lot about being in the world and not of the world and of being set apart. We are to live so others know we are different, but sometimes we make that into a show.
Everywhere you look there is merchandise with catchy phrases about "Know Jesus" or "Got God?", or 101 other such memorable statements. It can be all too tempting to hear a moving sermon or attend an uplifting concert or lecture and become so inspired that we rush out and purchase all the Christian apparel so we can "wear our faith." It's not an entirely bad thing, we want to show the world that the spirit lives within us and we want to put positive messaging out as opposed to all the negative and potentially harmful messaging the secular world produces daily.
We want people to look at us and instantly know that we are different. We intend to show them that we are set apart and why the Lord is the only way. We want people to find the joy and peace that we have found in Him. The motivation to answer the call is never wrong, but it's hard to live differently. Anyone can say the right words, buy the shirts and bracelets and pass out tracts to strangers. Anyone can proclaim the truth of the Gospel and we should, loudly and proudly. Where it gets murky and difficult is to live in such a way that if we never wore anything about Christ and we never openly spoke His name, people would still know something was different about us.
I recently spoke with an old acquaintance who claims a form of faith, but doesn't appear to live by said faith. We've never had an open conversation about our beliefs, just casual and occasional statements in passing. I never proclaimed my faith around this person, but it occurred to me sadly that I also never lived in such a way in this person's presence where they noticed anything different about me. I've never given them a reason to ask me if I'm set apart, or why I'm different from them or others they may have encountered.
I played it safe and didn't engage in certain conversations or forms of speech, I didn't share a taste in music or movies and I didn't gosip or belittle people for fun. I didn't do all the things that the world did, but I also did none of the things I should have done. I was not bold and intentional in my time working very closely with this person. I did not take opportunities that were right in front of me. I didn't wear clothes with catchy phrases, but more importantly I wasn't known by my fruits, I wasn't real.
Now, as I no longer work there I no longer have an excuse to speak with this person on a regular basis and I've lost the chance to actually live my faith where it can be seen daily.
Of course I can still reach out to this person and I can still be used for the Lord, but my effectiveness has been affected.
So what's my point? Why tell this story? My point is buy the merchandise if you feel led to do so, but I want to encourage you to be real and deliberate in your daily life. I want to encourage you not to miss opportunities and ignore promptings from the Lord, because sometimes your situation changes and you miss out on a chance to speak for Him. Live so your fruits can be seen from miles away and be the difference that people need.
Be Real.
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