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| Source: myhubintranet.com |
For those of us with school-aged kids, summer is a great time to take stock of what we, both as a family and as individuals, have accomplished over the course of the year. What have we learned? How have we grown? With whom have we spent our time? What have we read, where have we been, and what do we want to invest ourselves in during the months and year ahead?
It all leads me to ask myself: What exactly have I been communicating with my life?
You see, based on how I spend my time, money, and talents...even through the ways I rest...it becomes clear to me that I communicate far more than what I say to others or post on this blog or social media. Somehow, folks sort of know where I stand (for better or for worse!), or I find they are curious to learn more about a struggle I might have or why I am making a particular choice in my life or with homeschooling.
And whether you realize it or not, this is true for ALL of us, dear friend!
A few years ago I was blessed to be able to sit under the teaching of Pastor David Platt during one of his Secret Church simulcasts. Just the other day, I had the opportunity to review my notes from that in-depth teaching session entitled "The Cross and Everyday Life," and several truths washed over me afresh.
Platt spoke about the fact that we continually communicate threads of the gospel in our daily lives. He went on to list five crucial areas in which we do this:
- The Character of God
- The Sinfulness of Man
- The Sufficiency of Christ
- The Necessity of Faith
- The Urgency of Eternity
He made it clear that whether we realize it or not, we tell others (especially our children, for us parents!) about who God is and who we are. Our lives serve to answer questions such as: Is God important? Relevant? Powerful? Good? Are we basically good? Merely flawed? Thoroughly sinful? Or basically OK?
We also communicate the role of Christ in our lives and in our world, through our words, but especially through our actions. Do folks see where our strength lies, and is it in God...or in ourselves and our own perceived abilities? Are we quick to give God the credit when others give us praise? Are we ready and willing to deflect glory to Christ alone for every success we enjoy, and in every painful and hard moment we pass through? Or do we go through life as though faith were really not necessary?
What sorts of things are peppered throughout our speech? Do the things we talk about pertain to earthly things and temporary experiences, or do they involve those eternal things of God? Do we speak about God's word and what He is teaching us in our daily lives? Do we care to ask how others are doing...or how we can pray for them and serve them?
So, dear friend, I must leave you with a very probing and powerful question:
What does your life communicate?
Not just what you say. All of it. What does your time, talents, and resources point toward?
Because people are watching. People are searching and seeking. People are hurting. And they are looking for truth.
Will your life point them to Him--to Truth, personified?
Will you help others to set their minds on things above, not on earthly things?
Oh, I hope that you do. I hope that I do. May we encourage one another to communicate these truths, dear friend!
"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." Colossians 3:2-4 (emphasis mine)
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