How Does Your Life Read

I so enjoy visiting new churches. There’s something about walking in, slipping into the back row, grabbing a hymnal, all this while being unknown to others. Looking down the long line of pews, the wood pulpit and hearing the hushed voices of a generation my grandmother would resemble. This last weekend my hubby and I did just that. Visiting our daughter’s Methodist church, we sat near the back row among the very sparse group of gray hair and polyester suits. As the pastor took to the pulpit, he began to speak from Paul’s 2nd letter to the Corinthians, chapter 3. He gave brief background to Paul’s words, explaining that it was the custom of the day, those in prominent positions or those whose words were to be taken seriously, were accompanied by a ‘letter of recommendation.’ Paul proceeds to state that the only letter needed for him, was the ‘life letters’ of the Corinthians themselves. Meaning, let your changed lives speak for itself, “You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God.” (v.3)

Taking this, the pastor spoke of how letter writing in general is now a lost art, how we’ve moved on with technology and on to emails. We used to express ourselves, share new information, share joys and sorrows via ink. We’d celebrate with postcards, greeting cards and announcements. We knew and about each other by our letters. When he closed, wrapping it all together, he spoke with a challenge. Challenging us with five simple words, “How does YOUR life read?” (at least that is what I heard, we often get our own lil sermons from the Holy Spirit don’t we)

I looked around the congregation as we all stood to leave. Mabel gently patting Ethel on the shoulder, Harold shaking Georges hand. I wanted so badly to yell, “WAIT … Wait, didn’t you hear what the pastor said? How DO our lives read!” Then stopping short, I said to myself, “How does MY life read?” On the drive out, I pondered… without any words said, are others able to see JESUS in my life? Do they read my actions, my responses as God honoring? Does God stuff pour out of me onto others? Do bible verses come alive … in MY life! (oh, that was a painful thought) Does the sandwich board I wear always convey a good message, the RIGHT message!

I thought of one of our most used forms of communication these days, ‘texting.’ Does my life resemble that of a text gone wrong, where ‘auto correct’ spoke fragrantly and jumbled? The reader, tilts their head with hopes of deciphering! Or does my life read like that of an old vintage Telegram: “Love God.” (stop) “Love His Word. (stop) “Love you.” (stop)  Interesting, like that of ‘really bad handwriting’ can others even make out what we are saying? Or do we spend more energy in getting the #hashtag (whatever THAT is!) correct. Have our lives been reduced to ‘LOL’, TY , TTYL and few simple symbols ❤ 🙂

I want so strongly my life to read: “You are a letter from Christ …written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God.”  

How does your life read?

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Heb. 10:24)