Articles
WHAT DO YOU DO?
The question is often asked when starting a conversation or trying to get to know someone. I'm a secretary, I'm a nurse, I work for XYZ Corporation, I'm a sales representative, I work for the city, I own my own business. Sounds pretty familiar doesn't it? What if we responded with "I'm a Christian?" You'll probably get some interesting looks and you may have to continue the conversation, but so often what we do for a living defines who we are, at least at first perception.
In Tony Dungy's book "Quiet Strength" he speaks of football as a means to an end. It's what he does to earn a living, but it is not what his life is about. Most of our occupations are a means to an end, a way to cover the expenses we incur in this life. These occupations can and hopefully are very rewarding on a personal basis and something we derive pleasure in seeing a job accomplished. However, whatever we find ourselves engaged in, from running a major corporation to a temp, from a housewife and stay at home mom to one skilled in the medical field, our first priority is being a Christian. That lifestyle should be reflected in every facet of our lives, from being a good employee to being a good neighbor, a good parent, child, athlete, or even a caring stranger. Paul, in writing the Philippian brethren encourages us to, "Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God, above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation in whom you are seen as lights of the world" (Phil. 2:15). How seriously do we consider the fact that we are children of God and disciples of His beloved Son?
Let that sink in for a moment. A child of God! Is that something you are proud of and excited about? Our attitude needs to be that above all else in this world I will strive to serve Him in all that I do. That persona will radiate from us in such a way that people won't be able to help but notice a difference. It should become an unconscious attitude. In Jesus' description of the judgment, as recorded in Matthew 25, He commended those who so unselfishly gave of themselves to help others. The amazing part of that commendation was that those individuals were not even aware that they had done anything! It was their way of life. Christ was alive in them and it showed in their actions. Can people look at us and say that? Paul told the Philippians that they would appear as lights in the world. Jesus spoke that about all of us in His sermon on the mount and that a light is set out to give light and not to be hidden under a bushel. When we realize the love that Jesus has for us and the amazing grace and mercy afforded to us, we can't help but to be grateful and serve. The next time you meet someone new, make sure to tell them you're a Christian and invite them to come and learn about Jesus.
"See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason, the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is." - 1 Jn. 3:1-2
