by Desiree Bustamante

It’s written all over you.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

This rock along a highway, in El Salvador, was defaced by advertising messages. Someone claimed it as their own billboard, and painted an ad for all to see. It is easily visible to all who pass by the rock.

“Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”
1 Peter 2:12 New International Version

Has someone ever talked to you for a brief time, and then asked if you were a Christian? Even if Christ’s name doesn’t come up in a conversation, people may sense there is something different about you. The messages we emit tell others who we are, children of God, and what we believe, that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior. Because of that difference, maybe someone asked you to pray for them about a problem in their life. Maybe they made assumptions about what you believe, because they don’t truly understand what it’s like to have a relationship with God.

We all project messages to the world, as believers or not.  Even when others do not respect what you believe, your response is visible to all even if it seems invisible to you. Whether we see it or not, we show the world who we are by what is imprinted on us, inside and out.

Someone thought the message on the rock wasn’t important to them, and dumped a pile of debris next to it. Our sin, and the sins of the world, affect our message. If we are not careful to stay close to God, and in His word, those sins, and our not so Christ-like reaction to others’ sins, can start to pile up around us…obscuring our message of hope in Christ and making us indistinguishable from the world.

“Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.  Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.”
Colossians 4:2, 5-6 New Living Translation

May Christ’s message shine through you, bringing His light, love, and hope to all who come near you.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado