Life’s Moments Reflect Your Heart
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. -- Colossians 3:17
They probably considered themselves to be tough negotiators. They probably saw themselves as being honest and forthright. But what others saw was ugliness and hatefulness.
They view themselves as being part of society. They attend the “right” church, live in the “right” neighborhood, socialize with the “right” people. They probably think nobody notices how much alcohol they consume. They probably think nobody sees how shallow and worthless their faith really is.
Two people I have known from childhood were shopping for a large purchase. They were replacing their eight-year-old vehicle and came to see what the newest model of that vehicle was all about. They didn’t like it and that was okay. What followed was not.
They could have just said “no thanks” and walked away. They could have been nice and kind. They could have kept their opinions to themselves. They didn’t. They chose to use words to wound. They chose to tear down people rather than be kind.
And when they left, the people who heard them didn’t comment on the vehicle. They talked about the ugliness in the couple’s hearts. Is this what they show people everywhere they go? If this is what a Christian is, why would anyone ever want to know Jesus?
Perhaps the real answer goes back to the heart. How can Jesus live in a cruel heart? I don’t know. It’s a question I’ve struggled with for what seems like a lifetime. I want to believe that when someone claims Jesus as Lord and Savior that He lives within them. Unfortunately, the proof reflected outward just isn’t visible.
Only God knows our hearts. Perhaps tough patches and bad days make us lash out at others in ways that are unfair and unbecoming. But moments of our days reflect our lives. What do people see when they look at you?
We like to compartmentalize our lives. We are Christians on Sunday mornings. We might be Christians when we do volunteer work or write a check. But true faith comes when we live as Christ has called us to live in all the other moments of our lives. It comes when we make business decisions, when we go through the drive-thru, when we coach Little League. It is in those moments when Christ either shines through or He doesn’t.
Everyone has a bad day every now and then. We all say words we’d like to take back and do things we’d like to erase. But a pattern of a life not reflecting Jesus -- no matter where we hangout on Sunday mornings -- is a life that is lost. Do your words and actions reflect your faith?
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