Be Ready to Share your Life!

I’ve always thought following Jesus was a two-sided coin. On one hand, he’s got all the answers so it’s straight forward. His teaching is easy and light. On the other hand, he’s got all the answers and sometimes it’s tough. Jesus has some difficult things to digest if you are going to follow him. Like In Matthew 5 when he says, “…turn the other cheek…love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Really? Are you kidding me?

Right now in this very difficult time in our nation, we are discovering following Jesus really takes courage and resilience. We are called to love people no matter how they treat us. That’s easier to do when people are getting along. But right now with racial tension, conflict with authority, political nastiness, economic downturn, loss of employment AND COVID, we are are questioning Jesus design for life and asking “do I really?”

Jesus never abandoned truth but was equally full of grace and we are called to imitate him. We are called to live in such a way that our very life gives the reason for the hope we have in Jesus. We live in such a way that those who might be speaking ill of us will be embarrassed because we are actually living a life that lifts others up. We do our best to live at peace with everyone. Peter calls us to that kind of living in 1 Peter 3:15-16.

So how do we exemplify Jesus? Paul reminds us that when the Spirit lives within us, it yields a very different life than those who are in the world. Paul says in Galatians 5 that our lives will look like love, peace, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. So our goal should be to look like Jesus and extend all of these Godly qualities to those around us…even when it is not easy.

So, always shine for Jesus. Solomon said in Proverbs 11:30, “Seeds of good deeds become a tree of life.” And we want to be life to those we touch every day. For example, when you know your neighbor has had an illness, take over some food or mow the grass for them. When there have been ill words, be the first to offer an apology. When there is silence, speak up. When tears flow, show compassion and give a shoulder to cry on.

Paul reminds us in Colossians 4:5-6 to be an example for those who don’t believe in a risen Savior. Live in such a way that there is gentleness and kindness in your language and life. As followers of Christ, we want the world to take notice of why we live like we do so they too can have the hope we share.

As a follower, don’t be a tyrant. Over the years, I’ve seen so many hold truth in a self-righteous way, brow-beating everyone around them. It’s a fear-based religion that we’ve never been called to live out. So ask yourself these questions with honesty: How do you address folks on social media? How do you carry yourself in the workplace? What is your voice like with your family? How do you show compassion when you are in the right? Jesus was not tyrannical. He held truth in balance with love. And so should we.

Finally, never compromise. After his incredible letter to the church in Rome, Paul ends with how we are called to live life on earth in Romans 12. He calls us to not be conformed to the way the world does life but be transformed into Jesus. Verses 9-21 specifically spell out the kind of people we are called to be.

So love with the truth in mind…be like Jesus. The Jews have a saying: “May the dust of your rabbi settle upon you.” It means may you follow your teacher (that’s Jesus for us) so closely that the dust he kicks up as he walks settles on you. We are all on a wonderful journey. It’s our time to shine. This world needs the hope that only Jesus can offer. Let your life be the story the world can’t get enough of! Blessings on your journey.

Speak life.

I know you have had moments when you said something and immediately wanted to take it back. There are things that are said at times which are like a bad tattoo. Once it’s there, it’s not going away. There can be forgiveness and remorse but still, the words have been said.

The writer of Proverbs reminds us that we have the power of life or destruction with our words. He writes in Proverbs 12:18, “The words of the wise bring healing.” As people who follow the risen Savior, we, like him, want to bring healing to those we interact with every day.

A couple of ideas that we need to consider in order to bring healing. Stay away from gossip. Don’t speak it or listen to it. We tend to justify it when the person being talked about is not around but saying, “It’s nothing I would not say to them if they were here.” God hates sin. Paul, in Romans 1, lists some things that God does not like. Things like stealing, adultery, murder…and gossip. Yep, it’s lumped in with the other “biggies”.

Paul reminds us in Ephesians 4:29, “…Let everything you say be good and helpful.” That should be our goal as followers of Jesus.

Monitor your criticism as well. Paul says in Philippians 2:14ff, “Do everything without complaining and arguing…” We all know people in our family or friend group who just constantly complain and criticize. We tend to steer clear of them when possible. We have the ability with us to bring life and light to the world around us so be that light and extend life-giving words to those you see every day.

We have been given a spirit of “power, and love, and boldness” (2 Timothy) so be bold and be different this week for Jesus. Share your life and light with those around. Be the person in the room people WANT to gravitate toward. Be kind and compassionate just like our Lord. Share the love Christ has extended to you this week. Blessings on your journey.