When I was younger, I felt like I had to constantly separate. To show that I was walking with Jesus by what I didn’t participate in and basically, be self-righteous in my separateness.
As I have matured in my walk and as a person, I’ve realized that what really sets me apart is my life. My life testifies to God’s presence. He is the evidence, not my haughtiness.
I have a far greater impact on others when they feel loved by me, not that I think I’m better than them.
This is a common pit that believers fall into. In our desire to be set apart, we push away those who need God the most.
I have a lot of family, on my side and Chris’, who do all kinds of nefarious things and who struggle with a lot of different things. But I’ve noticed that over the last 20 years their response to us is one of reverence and honor. Not because we demanded it or even expected it, but lately I’ve noticed that they notice what our family is like. They see our dynamic and know that it’s different and they respect it. They have watched our kids grow into wonderful people. They see that Chris and I have only fallen more in love over the years. We don’t bicker and pick…we have grown softer and more loving toward each other with each passing year.
Our lives testify of God.
Everyone’s life testifies, whether it’s something good or bad. There’s no avoiding it. It’s a fact.
What does your life testify?
In the past, my life testified of bitterness and hurt. But those places have been healed. When I was much younger my life testified of my brokenness. Now I’m whole. Now my life testifies of the years of pouring life into my husband and children. My life testifies of my desire to be useful to God. No, it’s not perfect, but I am grateful for any evidence of God’s hand in my life.
I ask God all the time to make me a woman who makes others feel valuable. I want to be so secure in my value to God that I draw that out of others. That is also a testimony.
Again, I ask, what does your life testify?
Today, I encourage you to consider this. Take a moment and be honest. Then press into the Lord’s heart and ask Him to create a life around you that testifies of His glory on the earth. I wonder what might happen if every believer faced every day this way.
Lord, let our lives testify of Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him. Fear the Lord, you His holy people, for those who fear Him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. Come, My children, listen to Me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are attentive to their cry; but the face of the Lord us against those who do evil, to blot out their name from the earth. Psalm 34:8-16
365 Days in the Presence 