journey onWord with us

Do you ever wonder what people think of you? Of course you do! We want people to respect us, value our opinions, and hopefully see that our faith is working. Then there are the times when we would prefer that no one takes notice of our life. Those are the days when nothing goes right, our fuse is a little short, and we are less that joyful. We would like to always live above our circumstances, but too often that intention does not match reality. Embracing that others view our lives (whether we like it or not) can, and should be a great motivator for Christ followers to practice our faith.

Consider the small world that surrounds you on a daily basis. The people in your world, whether it is at work, around your family, in social settings or just with neighbors, all get an opportunity to see your faith in action. Acknowledging that all these people view our personal journey is daunting, but it is absolutely true. On a daily basis others will determine if we mean what we say, practice what we preach, and generally live according to our faith principles. What a great opportunity! What a solemn responsibility!

Many would say to me, “I’m just a silent witness”, or “I don’t want to push my religion on someone else”. Truth of the matter is, everyone around you probably knows what you believe, and how you view the core issues that make life worth living. My purpose is not to instruct anyone to start parading their faith, but rather to start embracing who you are. If you have accepted Christ as your personal Savior, God’s design is for you to represent Him well. And never forget that those in your small world may just be seeking what you have…. a relationship with God, through Christ.

Great counsel was given in the book of I Corinthians by the apostle Paul. It frames our responsibility well. Since it’s a given that our lives will be on display, let’s use His directions as our pattern.

I Corinthians 16:13-14 (NIV)
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.

I Corinthians 16:13-14 (MSG)
Keep your eyes open, hold tight to your convictions, give it all you’ve got, be resolute and love without stopping.

In our small world, being spiritually alert is imperative. Living with indifference will hinder the cause that we are called to represent. It is interesting that the above verse talks about standing firm in the faith. Our world wants, and often demands that anything anybody wants to believe is OK. Truth is relative and dependent. That worldview is diametrically opposed to the Bible, and therefore false. In our small world of relationships, never shy away from standing firm in your faith. It may be daunting, but the truth is the truth. Embrace the opportunity to be salt and light.

To stand firm and really make a difference, we must do everything in love. Strong faith, administered with a loving heart is a powerful witness. So, since others have sized us up anyway, why not embrace the challenge of practicing our faith. After all, isn’t that the Father’s design anyway? Your small world needs you!