“You are writing a gospel,
A chapter each day.
By deeds that you do,
By words that you say.
We read what you write,
Whether faithless or true.
Say, what is the gospel,
According to you?’

-Paul Gilbert

Once a self-righteous, boastful Sunday school teacher was preaching to his class on the importance of exemplary living. With his head held high and chest thrust out, he strutted back and forth across the room. He asked, “Now, children, why do people call me a Christian?”

There was a moment of silence. Then one boy raised his hand.

“Yes?” asked the teacher.

“Probably because they don’t know you very well,” responded the boy.”
-From Girlfriends in God daily devotional (www.girlfriendsingod.com)

It’s a frightening thing sometimes to be christian because in many ways, you’re going right in a world that’s clearly headed left. Sometimes it grates on other people and often it’s hard to do things contrary to your very nature. But, that’s what we are called to be: counter-culture. One of the biggest reasons it’s important to stay on that proverbial straight and narrow, is because its entirely possible that you are the only bible someone else is ever going to have a chance to read, which is what the short excerpt from Girlfriends in God is saying.

I just moved to a new city and I’ve been trying to find a church to settle in; I like christian fellowship because on my own I have some pretty strong billy-goat tendencies. I can be obstinate and I’m often found sulking after beefing God because I naturally want to do one thing…and often He curbs my impulsiveness and asks me to do the complete opposite. So to remain encouraged on my Christian walk, I need to surround myself with people who remind me of God’s love…despite my dramatics. So I’ve been looking for a church. A couple of people have recommended places; Port-Harcourt has more churches per square mile than schools, hospitals and beer joints combined, yet…

Anyway, a senior at work recommended a church. The only reason I chose to attend his, was his attitude. Not the deliverance of his invitation, promise of entertainment or persuasive discourse, just his attitude. His attitude to his wife and children, his diligence at work, the integrity of his person is evident in everything and convinced me to believe, “Here is a person whose heart is for God.” A lot of other people I have met in the ‘Garden City’ have given me fliers, invited me for church services, revivals and crusades…I even got one special invitation to a ‘spiritual delivery’ service (I’m guessing a combination of my red lipstick and 18″ weave prompted that invite). Yet, I noticed a dearth in the relevant actions needed to back the effusive words, the fluently-fired Christianese. One more irrelevantly proclaimed “…it is well” when things have clearly gone awry and I will scream!

At the 2013 Moorehouse commemoration ceremony President Obama said,”The most important power you wield, is the power of your example.” Your example is often the single most potent force you hold in making a difference.