Watch Your Witness...

...Others Are

Excuse the Christian lingo. If you aren't familiar with the term used in this context, "witness" refers to the life you lead, the example you set. Your Christian "walk". It's deeper than mere "image". Because, it is His image we are to display, not ours.

In 1 Peter 1:16, He commands us to be holy for He is holy.

Yesterday was a busy, deadline-driven, lunch-skipping day for me. It was a great workday, just a stressful one.

With a great feeling of achievement and rush of relief, I achieved the day's objective just in the nick of time.

At about 5:25, I looked up from my work, remembering that I had to leave for a 6:00 meeting at church approximately 20 minutes away. 20 minutes... if there is no traffic. I like to leave by 5:30 to allow for that. Great, no problem there.

But in sacrificing my lunch break to continue working, I neglected to fill my gas tank. So as I left the office, I grappled with whether to stop at the super-busy, super-sized gas and convenience center, Sheetz right on the corner. Or to find a gas station closer to church. I opted for the latter.

I pulled into a 7-Eleven station, positioned on the tiny, cramped corner lot of a busy city intersection. Maneuvering my small SUV was difficult in the overcrowed lot--impatient drivers pulling up to and away from the store, into and out of the gas lines, and into and out of the two entrances to the lot.

A driver behind me furiously laid on her horn as I attempted to turn around to properly position my gas tank to an adjacent pump in the shortest gas line.

So, I was feeling exasperated myself by the time I had finally moved into position. I found myself behind a lady who strolled unenthusiastically into the store to prepay while her car parked in front of the pump.

I checked my watch... about five minutes to spare before the 6:00 meeting. Another pump became vacant so I hastily moved in front of it, quickly jumped out of my car and starting pumping the gas.

The lady who had left her car returned and we made eye contact. We were now beside each other. I smiled and acknowledge her and then muttered something about my busy day. I mentioned my impending meeting....at my church.

She asked me where I went to church and told me that she had been looking for a good church for a while.

I shared with her all of the wonderful attributes of the ministry and mentioned that I have been attending for over twenty years. I invited her to attend one Sunday or Wednesday evening.

I told her that it was just a couple miles up the street, across the bridge on the right...a large building with flags in front...a former car dealership. She promised to visit.

We said our good byes and headed our separated ways.

Now well on my way, I was thankful that the Holy Spirit's influence helped me keep the proper attitude. I was pleasant in spite of the temptation to show my frustration under pressure.

Had my behavior indicated what I was feeling, I might not have bothered to speak to her. I might have turned her off as one of those hypocritical, church-types...certainly not displaying the image, the love, the compassion of Christ.

What a valuable reminder. The world is watching. And we need to be the example of Christ in their lives to draw them to Him. All the scriptures in the bible won't share Christ with them if our behavior is just like theirs, or worse.

So remember to take every opportunity to demonstrate His love, His patience, His temperament...no matter the circumstances. That is our great commission.