“Don’t tell me, show me.”
These words were coming to me from several different sources, even my nine-year-old granddaughter, Brailee.
However, it wasn’t until I shared it with a friend that it impacted me in a powerful way.
After telling her that I kept hearing the same phrase, she shared with me a recent conversation with her son.
He was talking about going into business with a friend. My friend asked if the person he was talking about going into business with was a believer. He replied that he wasn’t sure. She then asked him a pivotal question.
“What would your friend say about you? Would he say you were a Christian?”
I was reminded of the words of Jesus.
When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:13-15)
Jesus certainly knew who He was. He questioned who others thought He was.
These men had been around Him daily. They saw His reactions to people, even those who didn’t approve of Him. They saw the miracles, and the healings. They even saw Him steal away to pray each day. They too knew who He was.
Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16)
What would people say about you? Who would they say you are?
Those you work with. Those you go out to eat with. Would they say you are a follower of Christ? Would they call you a believer? A Christian? Or would they be surprised that you claim to be born again?
I have been in conversations where people were shocked when I mentioned a particular name and said they were a Christian. It always saddens me. It often causes me to look at my own personal life.
Do those I interact with daily see Jesus in me? Does His light shine in me? I am not talking about being around other Christians who know me, I am talking about strangers. Would they know I am a follower of Christ?
How about you? Do you shine with the light of God in your workplace? Are you gentle and kind? Do you show love for others? Are you patient and longsuffering?
If I were to ask those you work with, or those you interact with daily, would they know you are a follower of Christ by your actions? Would they say you walk like Jesus? Talk like Jesus?
After they watched you for a while, who would they say you are?
Are you showing you know Jesus and not just saying you know Jesus?
Personally, I feel this is something we should ask ourselves every now and then.
May people always see Jesus in us. May we not only tell it, but show it as well.
Meditate on this:
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16
