Actions LOUDER than words…

  
‘I am talking and no one is listening!’ Those words have spewed out of my mouth on more than one occasion. In most cases, they are said when trying to give instruction to my children. There are times however, when I have thought them in regard to an attempt to do a work in Christ.

Have you ever felt your work in God’s kingdom to be insignificant, or maybe wondered, what is my purpose, how can I make a difference? I am talking and no one is listening!

I have, and it seems like each time that thought creeps into my mind, the Lord, in an effort to prove that thought wrong opens my eyes to something new. He did such a thing for me not long ago.

I am a Sunday school teacher. My desire is to teach these precious little ones  as best I can about our Savior. There are times however, when I am left wondering am I really impacting them, are they really learning anything? They don’t appear to listen, and when I ask probing questions to gain their understanding…they want to use the restroom, have snack, or want to know, where is their mom?

During a recent service I went to the altar area to worship. As I was there hands lifted in surrender to Him I felt little arms wrap around my waist. Thinking it was my little one I reached down to tossle her hair and give her a gentle hug. When I looked down though, expecting to see blond hair and blue eyes, I was surprised to see a little brown haired girl with a beaming smile looking right back at me. Not my little one…one of my sunday school students. At that moment God revealed to me the power of a witness. Not in the words we speak…but our actions…they are powerful…Maybe at times even more so than our words.

2 Corinthians 5:20 says,

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

You yourself watch those you look up to, and whether we like to admit it or not, in that same manner, people are watching the way that we as Christians conduct ourselves.

In this instance, this little one was watching me and others in our service worshipping our Creator. Our worship caused her to want to join in and be part of it. Beautiful, just as it should be. Our lives are meant to draw others into relationship with Jesus.

This all took place in a church service, but it doesn’t stop there, it carries itself through all aspects of our lives. We as Christ followers are a witness to those we interact with daily, and as scripture says, are ambassadors. We have the ability to draw them in and unfortunately push them away, in some cases, all based on our actions.

Several years ago someone I worked with and had a great deal of respect for, retired. On his last day, he placed a note on my desk. In that note he thanked me for my testimony of the Lord. I don’t say this to puff myself up by any means, I say this to prove how powerful actions are because he and I – we never spoke of our faith. We may have mentioned church happenings when discussing our weekend endeavors, but nothing more, nothing less. What I find so fascinating about all of this, I was greatly appreciative of the same in him. He was always someone that kept his attitude positive, never got out of control or angry. He had a sweet spiritual disposition about himself without every speaking of it. We had no idea that we both served as encouragement to each other. A great reminder that we never truly know who is looking to us.

I wonder if we were honest with ourselves, how much of your witness is drawing people in, and how much of your witness is pushing them away?

Our lives were meant to bring glory to Him. We bring glory to Him by bearing witness of His work in our lives. We bring glory to Him by living according to His word.

The Bible says in Isaiah 43:7

Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.

That is our purpose, He created us for His glory. His word says it! I am convinced if we are serving our purpose, bringing glory to Him, then He is drawing others in through our obedience.

Today, as you are going through your day ask yourself am I bringing glory to Him? Is my witness drawing others closer to Him or is it pushing them away? And when it comes to making that decision, be the ambassador He has called you to be…Choose Him.