This morning I meditated on What is a Christian - thought, word or deed. Years ago I use to say that I was doing "all this" (activities at church, helping or doing service) to get a plaque until I read a very good article in The Upper Room that said it wasn't about the plaque, the awards or the picture with your name under it.
So, I thought, what is it - Are you a Christian in thought, word or deed?
First there is the word - Christian - meaning: of, relating to, or professing Christianity or its teachings. So if you believe is Jesus, and that through Him as your savior you have eternal life with Him in heaven, you are a Christian.
But now the thought. What does being a Christian mean in your everyday life. Do just attend church when it is convenient or on a holiday? or do you go every Sunday? Do you study the Bible at home? Attend a Bible study? Do you pray? These are the thoughts that come with being a Christian. It doesn't stop at the door on the way out of church on Sunday. It continues into your everyday life. I personally love Lenten or Advent books that I can read daily during those special times. I keep them on my kitchen table to read with my morning coffee and barrage of morning medications. I got so use to them that I usually have a book on my table all year long that I can read or study from when I get that moment of quiet. Something precious in our very busy daily lives.
Now for the deeds, they should come naturally. If you see someone who needs help it should be automatic for you to stop and help them. A smile should be on your face to strangers because an unhappy Christian is an oxymoron. The deeds do not have to be big at all, just being nice to people, pray for them and being a positive happy person should radiate out from you and infect others.
You should be able to joyfully give of your fruits to others who do not have. We should be happy to donate to the food banks or shelters and not judge those in need.
I don't need that plaque anymore, I still hope that the room Jesus went ahead to prepare for me is beachfront; but I find more joy in helping than a piece of wood could give me any day.
Prayer -Lord God, may we be grateful for out lot, and compassionate towards all those who are suffering every kind of distress at this difficult time. May we hold back nothing and hasten to be the ministers of prayer and mercy, like the disciple of HIM who went about doing good in times of need - Amen.
