You Don't Know Me
No vacation is complete without the obligatory souvenir t-shirt. Everything from the standard “I Love (dream destination here)”, to pictures of local landmarks and cartoon characters of well known theme parks. While traveling to Washington DC this summer, Lane picked out a great shirt that said, “You don’t know me! (Federal Witness Protection Program)”.
Sometimes, I think that we voluntarily enter the “witness protection program” when it comes to our faith. We are commanded to “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” (Mark 16:15); to “go and make disciples of all nations…teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you”. (Matt 28:19-20). Yet, we disguise our faith in God, choosing instead to blend in with the world around us, fearing that we might lose friends or offend those very souls to whom Jesus sent us to reach. We cry out with our actions, “I don't know the man!” (Like that worked well for Peter in Matthew 26!)
Instead of hiding away in some secluded community, masking our true identity, our witness begins in our own communities, neighborhoods, and even our own households, just as Jesus first witnessed to the Jews. Christ has called us to be a light set high atop a stand for all to see. (Matthew 5:14-15). We are directed to be transformed – different – renewed so that we stand out as a beacon of Christ’s love and grace. (Romans 12).
Do those you come in contact with each day know who you are? More importantly, do they know whose you are?
Sometimes, I think that we voluntarily enter the “witness protection program” when it comes to our faith. We are commanded to “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” (Mark 16:15); to “go and make disciples of all nations…teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you”. (Matt 28:19-20). Yet, we disguise our faith in God, choosing instead to blend in with the world around us, fearing that we might lose friends or offend those very souls to whom Jesus sent us to reach. We cry out with our actions, “I don't know the man!” (Like that worked well for Peter in Matthew 26!)
Instead of hiding away in some secluded community, masking our true identity, our witness begins in our own communities, neighborhoods, and even our own households, just as Jesus first witnessed to the Jews. Christ has called us to be a light set high atop a stand for all to see. (Matthew 5:14-15). We are directed to be transformed – different – renewed so that we stand out as a beacon of Christ’s love and grace. (Romans 12).
Do those you come in contact with each day know who you are? More importantly, do they know whose you are?
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34-35
posted by Carl Wheeler at 11:20 PM
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