Our True Colours

Romans 1:16 – For I am not ashamed of the Gospel (good news) of Christ, for it is God's power working unto salvation [for deliverance from eternal death] to every one who believes with a personal trust and a confident surrender and firm reliance, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. (AMP)

Some time ago, my late husband and I had the pleasure of visiting Jamaica — not as tourists, but as visitors sharing our Christian experience in a small Christian seminary. On these occasions, Ron and I would make the most of any leisure time to see the country and get acquainted with the people. This time, we went to a food market and found a comfortable bench on which to sit and watch the population.

Although Ron was a very large man, somehow his quiet disposition seemed to make him very approachable and not the least bit alarming. Within a few minutes, some little children gathered around us. They appeared to be very interested in the colour of our complexion. One little girl put her arm on Ron's and began to rub hers against his. Then she would remove her arm and look at it very closely. We came to the conclusion that she thought my husband's whiteness would somehow rub off onto her arm, or perhaps her dark complexion would rub onto his. Needless to mention, this did not happen. But it was a very precious moment which has remained with me over the years.

When remembering this incident, I am very much aware how careful we must be to show our true colours or disposition, as Christians in the marketplace, at home, and at our places of employment. I remember a wonderful Christian gentleman who would always request God in his audible prayers "to help us in our actions and also in our reactions". Paul, that wonderful missionary, told his listeners in Rome that he was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, and he truly lived out his allegiance to his living Lord. His colours could be clearly seen in all the actions of his life. May we as Christians endeavour to follow his example today and in the days to come.

Prayer: Our gracious heavenly Father, we pray that you will give us not only the desire but also the courage to live out our true Christian "colours" in the world in which we live. Today, in this twenty-first century, to be different is not always acceptable, and we are sometimes looked upon with suspicion. Help us always to take the gentle approach when we are confronted by such an attitude, that perhaps some of our "colours" will rub off on those who do not understand us, and they will become curious and begin the quest to find You. We bring this prayer before You in the authority of our Saviour, Christ Jesus. Amen.

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