Romans 1:16-17
It’s news I’m most proud to proclaim,
this extraordinary Message of God’s powerful plan to rescue everyone
who trusts him, starting with Jews and then right on to everyone else!
God’s way of putting people right shows up in the acts of faith,
confirming what Scripture has said all along: “The person in right
standing before God by trusting him really lives.”
Scripture
quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002
by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs,
CO. All rights reserved.
“We
do not draw people to Christ by loudly discrediting what they believe,
by telling them how wrong they are and how right we are, but by showing
them a light that is so lovely that they want with all their hearts to
know the source of it.” - Madeleine L’Engle - Walking on Water
I saw this
quote on Facebook a few days ago – credited to this author of dozens of
novels who lived from 1918 to 2007, including Newberry Medal winner A Wrinkle in Time, and National Book Award-winner, A Swiftly Tilting Planet.
L’Engle served for more than 30 years as librarian at Cathedral Church
of St. John the Divine in New York City, where she also maintained an
office.
Madeleine L’Engle was by all accounts
an extraordinary woman…wife, mother, author, and servant. And the
statement is profound and gives us lots to think about in light of
today’s scripture passage.
What sort of light are you showing
the world? Is it the Light of Christ – or a spotlight of your own
making? Some say “Look at me…I have all the answers. What I believe is
spot on…and if you disagree, you are the one who is mistaken!” While
others live such that their lives and conduct say, “Greater is He that
is in me, than he that is in the world.” (paraphrasing 1 John 4:4)
Which one best describes you?
Are you a living example of faith
in God – in all things? Do people note your acts of faith and service
to Him…or are you known as someone who is judgmental, controversial, and
divisive? When others look at you and your relationship to Jesus
Christ, do they want what you are demonstrating? Or do your demeanor
and actions make them want to “run like the wind?”
Isn’t it
time we began to more closely model Jesus…to quietly demonstrate our
faithfulness and His love, acceptance, grace, mercy and compassion for
ALL people? Are you drawing people to Christ…or giving them
every reason to run in the opposite direction? Read L’Engle’s quote
again and let it soak into your heart and soul. It’s time to figure out
which light we are reflecting. Is this the day you will begin?
©2015 Debbie Robus
No comments:
Post a Comment