Evidence Left Behind

How do others know that we believe in Christ? Here are three clues that I have thought about recently: dust, sparkles, and aroma.

Dust – At the beginning of the book, Practicing the Way, the author, John Mark Comer, quotes from a first-century Jewish blessing: "May you be covered with the dust of the rabbi". Dusty sandals and clothing would be evidence of a close relationship. Is there any evidence of my walk with Jesus that others might detect?

Acts 4:13 – When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. (NIV 2011)

Sparkles – Recently, I bought some closet sachet air fresheners with a clever printed message on the packets that read, "She Leaves Sparkles Everywhere She Goes." That reminded me of discovering a few tiny bits of sparkles revealed by the sun shining on our carpet near where our Christmas tree had stood. This was long since the holidays and several times of vacuuming. Greeting cards had left tiny sparkles, reminding me of joyful family gatherings. Do I leave behind any joyful "sparkle" that would encourage someone to rejoice in God's love and care?

1 Peter 1:8 – Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy. (NIV 2011)

Aroma – While my head was bowed and eyes shut during an opening prayer at church one recent Sunday, I suddenly became aware of a very slight and lovely aroma. At the end of the prayer, I saw that a young woman had quietly slipped past the aisle to take her seat at a distance from me. There was evidence that she had been near me. What sweet fragrance of God do I carry to others around me?

2 Corinthians 2:14 – But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ's triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. (NIV 2011)

As these bits of thoughts came together in my memory since the recent holidays, I was struck with how God used them to ask me about the kind of evidence there is in my life that would cause others to be astonished at my courage, or my joyfulness, or my spreading the knowledge of Him everywhere I go.

Friends, what evidence do you leave behind for others to consider? Is there enough to draw them to Christ's love and grace? How can we introduce them to our Wonderful Counsellor, our Everlasting Father, our Prince of Peace?

Prayer: Loving Father God, in our weakness amid these hard times, help us to walk courageously and closely with You. Thank You for the joy You put in our hearts to spread the knowledge of You to the world. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.