I was in college in one of the Christian Education courses with a wise professor that I never appreciated until it was all said and done. She told the class early on that "everything you do teaches." At the time, I didn't think much of it, but as God pulled me into ministry and made me more aware of how my actions effected other people, I realized that everything we do teaches.
Everything we do or don't do tells someone else about who we are from the way we speak, the way that we respond to situations, the way we choose to spend our time, etc. What we do in secret effects who we are and what we teach as well. How much time we spend in prayer and in the word, how much we give, how much we hide in our personal relationships, what we do with our free time, etc. also teaches because it effects who we are in the world.
As a youth director, I'm often presented with these teaching moments. If a youth comes to me and shares something that is on their heart, I have a many decisions to make. Am I looking them in the eye and giving them my full attention. How do I respond to what they are sharing? Do I brush it off or do I take the time to pray with them and help them find the tools to best handle their situation. Do they feel valued and loved? Sometimes I do well and other times I drop the ball, but my decision in those moments will teach that youth something about how much their life is valued to someone else. We all are faced with these teaching moments, whether we are aware of it or not.
We are given specific instruction as to what our lives should teach through God's word. In Phillipians 2:6-8 Paul tells us our attitudes should be like Christ:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!
In Matthew 5:48, he tells us to be perfect, or in some translations holy, just as our Father in Heaven. We are called to love him with all our heart, soul, and mind and to love our neighbors and enemies. Everything we speak, do, and don't do should come from a heart and an attitude that bears the light of Christ to the world. We will fail, but every failure is an opportunity to share the meaning of grace.
How is your life teaching those around you who God is in your life? What are some areas you could work on?
You got it! Beverly
ReplyDelete