Lives That Shine!
When you hear the word, ‘Evangelism’, do your hands grow cold and clammy? Does your tongue turn numb? You are not alone. Sharing Jesus’ love with others can seem less daunting however, if we are already living a life that lets Christ shine through. Here are some characteristics we can cultivate that may be appealing to those who don’t know Christ.
∙ Honesty: Unfortunately, our world is not always a place of integrity. The pursuit of success is often pursued at the expense of virtue. When we set ourselves apart by being people of integrity, others will notice.
∙ Enthusiasm: Isn’t it more fun to be around people with a positive outlook on life? The root of the word ‘enthusiasm’ is ‘en theos’ which literally means ‘inspired by God.’ Unlike what the world teaches, the Bible teaches undying hope. An enthusiastic Christian will stand out in a hopeless world.
∙ Openness: We have learned to protect ourselves from rejection by wearing masks. Yet when we let others know who we really are, our vulnerability allows for friendships to grow. Being real may give us opportunities to share the love and care of Christ with others.
∙ Affirmation: The world tells us in many ways that we aren’t good enough. Positive feedback and encouragement makes people feel good about themselves. We spread God’s love by affirming people and bringing out the best in them.
∙ Joy: When we are filled by God’s spirit with a heart full of God’s love we can overflow with joy. Even in spite of the difficulties and trials of life, we can exhibit a joy that makes others wonder what is different about us.
As we develop these characteristics in our life, they should overflow into the relationships we have out in the community and workplace. When we live lives that shine, we should have more opportunities for telling people about the good news of Jesus in our life.
Adapted from an article by Jana DeBacker, “Discipleship Journal” Issue 112, July/August 1999.
