Does your life baffle others?

The sun reflected off my blonde hair like a beacon, inviting strangers to stare. On the busy Asian street, the locals strained their necks to see me, a foreign teenager with light hair, blue eyes, and fair skin. Many approached cautiously, reaching their hands out, requesting to touch my golden locks.

I walked down the sidewalk, confused by how my God-given physical characteristics caused unfamiliar people to flock to me. 

Almost thirty years later, I look back on my trip to Asia and wonder if this isn’t how we are supposed to be as Christians. Aren’t people supposed to be drawn to the differences they see within us – not our physical differences, but the spiritual fruit that flows from our character?  

If we are image-bearers of Christ, fruit like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control should be the God-given traits we bear in this world. As God’s children, we should stand out like a child in a foreign land. Our lives should be a beacon to a broken world. Our spirit-filled responses to the brokenness should baffle those around us so much that they can’t help but wonder what makes us different. 

Then, when someone is brave enough to reach out and ask about our differences, we should be prepared to answer and share the truth and hope that comes only from Christ.

“You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. You show that you are a letter from Christ… written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God.”

2 Corinthians‬ ‭3:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭NIV

Take Time to Pause

• Does your life look different from those around you? Why or Why not?
• Does your life baffle others and draw them closer to Jesus? 
• What could you be doing differently to share His hope with those around       you?