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“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world.” Romans 1:8 (ESV)

Ordinary that’s probably how most people might describe him.  Extraordinary definitely not.  His height and weight simply average.  Not a standout in a crowd.  Could easily be overlooked or ignored.  Despite these surface descriptive words, I’m in awe of how God used this one person working in a corporate setting to impact the lives of so many.

My co-worker left this world last week for their eternal home.  Boldly and courageously battling cancer for many years.  Always positive. Never giving up.  Not allowing challenges and struggles to define him; they propelled him to share his faith and inspire others. What a difference one life lived well can make.

Wonder if we minimize the potential influence we have in our culture, in our circle, in our sphere?

The way we live out our faith speaks volumes to those we don’t even realize are watching.  How we respond under pressure.  How we react when mistreated. How we do our job.  How we interact with or talk about our family.  Who we serve even when others look away. Incredible opportunities to share our Jesus with our world by living out our faith on a daily basis.

As co-workers reflected on the one who is no longer with us, a common thread flowed from person to person – “His faith was real.”

Wow, don’t we all want to leave those imprints on the heart, soul and mind of those we meet?  Isn’t that the ultimate goal of every Christ follower to live their life in an authentic way drawing others to God?

Just keeping it real here, but we miss the mark on so many occasions.  We get caught up in the drama. We allow stress to eliminate kindness and patience.  We lose sight of the words we say and excuse our actions.  We abandon what we believe in the aftermath of suffering, challenges and pain.  We zero in on self and follow what everyone else is doing versus helping those in need.

Yes, we all get this so wrong.  In those moments, Satan our accuser (Revelation 12:10)  seeks to devour us.  Playing those tapes of how our life hasn’t been lived well.  Drenching us in shame and guilt.  Convincing us all our wrongs cloud the good God wants to birth in and through us.

Sweet friends, we can listen to the enemy’s lies or we can cling to the truths of our God.  No moment is beyond His redemptive power.  Our God is long suffering and full of patience as He completes His good work in us. Blessed by His grace,  we can experience second chances to right our wrongs. Lessons learned along the way so hopefully we won’t miss opportunities to draw others to Jesus.  Reminding those around us “our faith is real.”

We might forget a lot of things about our co-worker, but we will never forget his impact.  Even on his hardest days he encouraged and inspired us to live out our faith so others will see Jesus in us.

“Father, help us to be bold and courageous living out our faith before a world desperately in need of seeing Your strength, love, power and peace.  Keep our eyes fixed on You and not our circumstances.  Enable us to remain faithful even in our hardest places.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life