He is shining through

But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” (Romans 10:14-15 NLT)

How will they hear? Our testimony will ring loud and true. How will they come to believe? Both our lives and our testimony will invite them into his presence. Who is to tell them about him? We ALL are! We don't have to fill a pulpit to preach a message - our lives can do that! Those who will call upon him will be saved. This is a certain promise that God will not go back on - ever. Whatever goes on around us, his testimony will ring true and come through time and time again. We are called to be living examples of his love and grace. Grace to embrace the hungry and seeking - love to seek them out when they don't even know they need him.

Hungry hearts don't always turn to the best message, though. That is why it is so important that we become the 'loudest' testimony of grace and love possible. Not the 'loudest' because we preach repent or die messages on the sidewalks and street corners. Loudest because our lives put his grace and love on display within our actions, attitudes, and ambitions. Ambitions that are pure and not self-centered. Attitudes that welcome his presence and power, even when it would be more convenient to attempt to do something our way. Actions that consistently based in truth and love. This is the testimonial that will reach the hungry and hurting hearts of those around us.

Who will go? We don't have to go far - our little sphere of influence God has placed us within is sufficient. We begin there - being faithful in the little things and then doing more as he leads. We sometimes get it into our heads that our 'sphere' isn't 'big enough'. It is where we were placed - to be an 'influencer' in the realm of grace and truth. We don't always realize how 'influential' our actions and attitudes can be, but to the one who is questioning their own actions or attitudes our testimony can become a beacon of hope for them. Are we sent? You betcha! We are 'sent' - not because there was a 'commissioning ceremony' one Sunday morning where hands were laid on us. We are 'sent' because God put his presence inside of us!

It is his presence that speaks louder than any other voice, although we do tend to 'override' his voice from time to time by taking actions we should not have taken, or displaying attitudes that are a bit too self-focused. Our greatest prayer each day is for him to make us a living testimony of his grace and truth - in our words and our actions. Whenever we welcome his power and presence into our lives like that, we can be sure he will help his love and grace shine through, even when we put ourselves first way too often! Just sayin!