A True Witness for Christ

My husband and I made the decision several years ago that our family would serve Christ.  In that time we have endured challenges that, had we known in advance, we might have wondered if we were crazy.  Yet, we made that choice and, despite the challenges, we have done our best to persevere and focus on Christ. 

I haven't always responded well to the challenges placed before us.  It has been so easy to let the emotions of the moment overwhelm me.  God has many promises in His Word that I have tried to focus on, but I often get sidetracked.

I have come to accept that there will always be challenges we must face as Christians.  It is just life.  Satan wants to steal, kill, and destroy my life and the lives of my family members.  He is a liar and the father of lies.  He wants me discouraged.  He wants me and my family to feel overwhelmed at the things thrown in our path. 

I wondered, one day, if I was responding well to the things thrown at us.  We've been challenged as never before in the last few months.  One day I am certain that there will be testimonies that come from the battles and tests we have had to deal with over the last few months.  But I wonder if I am a living testimony in the midst of the trial.  After all, it was made apparent to me lately that, as Christians, we are being watched continually.

Our children are watching.   Others at the church are watching.  Our unsaved neighbors are watching.  And... our lost loved ones are watching.  Oh, they will not always admit it.  But the search for truth is instinctive.  I realized one day that one loved one was watching me, even from afar, to see how my family reacted and dealt with the challenges we have had to face.

My heart bled.  Had I been true to my King?  Had I shown that love of Christ with the proper attitude?  Had I been realistic in my feelings that I shared?  Or had I failed by showing a lack of trust in Jesus? 

While there are many loved ones that aren't saved, I know that one has been on my heart a lot lately.  I love this person so much, and I grieve that she has shown no desire or need for Christ.  She has challenges in her life too, but she is secure in many areas.  Sadly, these areas aren't going to get her eternal security.  I pray for her often, longing to see Christ touch her heart. 

I am careful though.  It isn't a fear of rejection that has me holding back, but a knowledge of what this person believes about Christians.  I once felt the same way.  Christians seemed like judgmental hypocrites back when I was unsaved.  I couldn't stand being preached at, or feeling pressured.  It made me rebel quicker than nearly anything.  It took me getting to a point where I was left with no one but Christ to turn to for me to have to face my own sin and seek out Truth in the form of Christ.  She is not there yet.  I don't ever want her to have to go through what I went through and end up at the point I was in, but I know that Christ is in control.

I believe that Jesus is pulling at her heart.  I pray that, as I deal with the challenges, she sees that we still love and depend on Christ, even when things are difficult or heart-breaking.  I pray that she sees her own need for Christ, despite her securities she trusts that have no eternal value, despite her friends that would mock and scoff at her, despite the preconceived notions that she feels are correct.  I pray for her salvation daily.  I pray that Christ would fill me with the words and have me speak them with boldness when He knows her heart is ready to accept them.  If not me, then I pray that He would send others into her life that could speak truth with love and lead her to Jesus.

I know that our lives represent Christ.  I know that many Christians fail in the eyes of the non-Christians.  This saddens me, but I can only follow the leading of Christ in my own life.  I can't change the attitudes and actions of others.  I can speak what I feel the Holy Spirit leading me to say.  However, we can't be people of words without being people action. 

There is the familiar saying such as, "People don't care what you know until they know how much you care."  I heard my pastor once say, "Tell of Christ always.  If necessary, use words." 

Our lives are living testimonies to Christ.  We don't always have to speak endless words that to those around us may sound like babble.  Instead, we should worry more about our actions. What is your life saying about Christ?  And just going to church is not making quite the statement you think.  Many go to church, but don't live for Christ the rest of the time.  If anything, that looks worse to non-Christians. 

My loved ones and those around me that are lost want to see truth.  They want to be inspired by Christ in our lives.  They want to see that we are different, and want what we have in our lives for themselves.  That something in our lives can't be materialistic.  It can't be something they can get anywhere else but through a relationship with the Lord Jesus. 

I don't believe that non-Christians expect to see Christians living some magical, charmed life as if Christ is a magic genie.  It is sometimes through the tough times that they see that Christ is real.  Having a perfect life is not realistic.  But having a hope in the midst of despair, a true north in the midst of the storms, a contentment in the midst of lack, and a joy in the midst of any circumstance will say more than any preaching we might try to do. 

I pray my life honors Christ that way.