Think of Me

This article is from the January 2011 issue, but I thought it would be good to re-post as school is starting up. Remember to represent your Savior well this year. 

I was curled up in my bed on a rainy, cold afternoon editing this month’s issue when Taylor Swift’s hit single, Tim McGraw, started playing. At first the country melody just made me smile and snuggle deeper in my bed, but when the chorus came I really started to the think about they lyrics. Part of the chorus goes, “When you think Tim McGraw, I hope you think of me.” I don’t know about you, but I hope that when I enter someone’s thoughts, Tim McGraw does not accompany me. I’d much rather it be Jesus.

2 Corinthians 2:15 says, “For we are the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” and Philippians 2:14-15 says, “Do all things  without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” As Christians we should be the fragrant aroma and shining lights of Christ. Others should see Jesus through our actions. Does that mean we have to be perfect all the time? Of course not! God doesn’t expect us to be perfect or identical to Him. As creations we can’t be exact replicas of our Creator, but we are expected to imitate Him (Ephesians 5:1). The dictionary defines imitate to “take or follow as a model”. Thus, we’re to model God’s behavior.

The word model is an action; it’s not passive. Too often Christians are passive in their faith, including myself. It’s so much easier to just believe in God and act like everyone else. But the Bible says that even the demons believe in God (James 2:19). The next verse challenges those with passive faith, calling them foolish to think that faith can stand by itself free of works. Faith is completed by works (James 2:22). If we are truly walking with God, we will grow and produce fruit. By spending time with us, others should be able to taste that fruit and see Jesus. They should be able to smell His sweet fragrance and be drawn to His dazzling light.

In His word (Galatians 5:22-23), God gives a list of fruits that should be growing in our hearts if we truly are walking with Him. Love. Joy. Peace. Patience. Kindness. Goodness. Faithfulness. Gentleness. Self-control. These fruits should come naturally as you walk with God. If you immerse yourself in God’s word and pray on a daily basis, your relationship with God will only get stronger and you’ll produce these fruits.

In this coming year let this be your goal:  walk with the Lord in a way that everyone around you will be able to smell and see Him. As Christians, we represent our faith and our God. Represent them both well. When people think Jesus, hope they’ll think of you.

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On a side note, congratulations to Naomi for winning the 100th blog post challenge!

How Will They Remember Me?

This summer I met three different people with three different personalities. But they all had three things in common: their evident love for Christ and His Word. Until recently, I didn’t read my Bible on a regular basis. Sometimes I forgot. Sometimes I pushed it to the back of my mind. Sometimes it was just too late. And sometimes I just looked at it and said no. I knew it was important but I wasn’t motivated. This summer changed that. The three people I met changed that.

The first of three (we’ll call him Blake) couldn’t get enough of God’s Word. In fact, every blank space in his New Testement was covered with notes. Each year he buys a new Bible because his old one is so full of notes.

The second of three (we’ll call her Mary) delighted in God’s Word. She got this huge smile on her face when she thought that this instant, next year, she’ll know more of God and His Word. In fact, she even is thinking about majoring in Greek or Hebrew so she can understand it better!

The third of three’s (we’ll call her Ellie) only desire is to know and glorify God more. She told me that recently she’s been wanting to spend more time with God than with her friends. How awesome is that?

These three people left a lasting mark on me. I now see the value of reading the Bible and how amazing it is. I also see what the result of eating up God’s Word looks like. Thanks to these three people.

It makes me wonder how people are remembering me. Did anyone meet me this summer and come away better for it? Or did they come away worse? What legacy did I leave with them? I don’t really like to think about that; it makes me feel a little uncomfortable because sometimes I’m not the nicest. Sometimes I don’t always have the best attitude. Sometimes I don’t leave a God-glorifying legacy. I want to leave one though. I want people to be better not because of me but because of God shining through me. I want to leave a legacy that’ll continue to glorify God long after I’m gone.

What kind of legacy are you leaving? When people hear your name, what comes to mind? Think about that while you listen to this song.