Showing others the way

"For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do - this I keep on doing."
                                                   Romans 7:19

I feel like Paul so many times. I attend church regularly, I pray daily, trying to pray continuously throughout the day as instructed by the word, and I believe I truly do strive to do what is God pleasing.

But because I am sinful by nature, I always fall back to doing what I do not want to do. It is a constant battle to fight off the natural ways of sin with what I know is right. But, like so many things in life, living a Christian life is not easy. If it was, everyone surely would be a convert, especially in today's world of instant gratification and the fact that technology helps us do so many things easier than before.

Being a Christian is not easy. The easy way is always what is most comfortable. Since we are told in the Word that we are sinful by nature, it only makes sense that this is the easy way, right? I will tell you that you will be amazed at what happens in your life when you take the harder path. Suddenly, you will see a light in others' eyes as you share, either by word or action, your faith in Jesus Christ as your savior. You will open the door for others to share their faith, something they may be hesitant to do for fear of persecution. Imagine what could happen if we all just share our faith.

But what does sharing our faith mean? Is it forwarding that email you got that bashes the non-believers, the sinners (by the way did you verify whether it is true?)? Is it hanging out with only people you feel share the same faith as you? We must always remember that we are each born into sin just as the other.

This is what I believe sharing faith is: Doing and saying what is God pleasing. Be compassionate to your fellow co-worker, hold a door open for a stranger. Just saying hello to someone passing by can show your faith.  Think about this as you start the week anew. Think constantly about what Jesus would do in any situation you find yourself. You will truly be amazed at the joy that is returned to you for simple acts of kindness that allow Jesus to shine through you.

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
      be pleasing in your sight,
      O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."
                                      Psalm 19:14