In these days, many have “sheltered-in-place”. We interact through the Internet. We stay inside. If we must go out, we wear a mask. But we do not shake hands or hug each other. We may offer a warm, friendly smile, but no one can see it.

I can’t even get a haircut and I rarely shave. (For video chats, I wear a cap and sit far from the camera.) So, of course, it was bound to happen. Today I picked up my cell and despite all its facial recognition software, it had no idea who I was.

Yeah, that was funny. Then I got to thinking. There’s a lot of negative things going on in the world, each with equally negative news and views. But when we engage and others hear us speak or see our posts, do they have any idea who we are?

What do others find when they look at us?

We are children of the Father, friends of His Son, and light of His Spirit. We are THE Church, the Family of God, and Body of Christ. We did not choose Him…He chose us! We have been called to be different, set apart, and examples for all.

And yet…more often among my brothers and sisters, I have recently found the way of the world than the way of Christ. They rush to speak rather than listen with understanding. They tear each other down rather than build each other up.

They accuse without knowledge, judge without authority, and condemn without mercy. They demand forgiveness yet refuse to give it. Consumed by what they want, they become deaf and blind to the desperate needs of others.

Our words and actions affect this world’s future.

I heard one say that it’s not God’s will for a church’s staff to be all one color. Knowledge of the heart is apparently unnecessary. Yet Jesus said, Do not judge…for as you judge others, you will be judged.¹ I saw one post, “We become who we worship.” But though I worship Jesus, I will never become Him.

In our rush to do good, we fail to be still and know God.² We cannot follow if we are running ahead of Him. Even with good intentions we can speak and act recklessly. Remember, there is evil in the world and it will pounce on every ill word spoken and every misstep taken.

In all things we must show love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.³ It’s about being a follower of Jesus. So make sure all will know who you are.

Ciloa Forever!

Chuck

 

 

Chuck Graham is Founder and Executive Director of Ciloa, an international ministry devoted to encouraging others and teaching them how to encourage one another. Also an author and speaker, Chuck and his wife, Beverly, live in Lawrenceville, Georgia, USA. Learn more about Chuck and Ciloa at www.Ciloa.org.

 

Footnotes: For “Quick to listen, slow to speak,” Read James 1:19-20. (1) Read Matthew 7:1-2, Luke 6:37. (2) Read Psalm 46:10. (3) Read Galatians 5:22-23, Philippians 4:5, Colossians 3:12-17.

Pictures: (1) Looking At The World, photo by Johnny Cohen, Unsplash. (2) Romans 14:4, creator of the original photo unknown. (3) Follow Me, appears to be a portion of the book cover for My Father’s Business: Making the Most of His Must by Brother Bennie, published May 15, 2020.