REFLECTION

When out in public, how do people react to you? Do they see you as kindly, helpful, and friendly? Are you a reflection of God’s love?

When I taught Adult Sunday School, I was always sharing stories of interactions I would have with people in the grocery store or Hobby Lobby. I’m not sure why this kept happening. Maybe I was spending too much time buying food or art supplies! But I never failed to encounter someone who needed help to find something, lifting an item, or asking for decorating or recipe advice. A classmate said I should start “Aisle 6 Ministries.”

I have had my moments of conflict as well. I always regret the terrible, gnawing feeling I get in the pit of my stomach when I have reacted, as we say in Texas, ugly. We are all dealing with stuff. How can it harm me to swallow my pride and react in unexpected gentleness?

Do we reflect God’s love to others? Are we so full of God’s peace that it shows in your face? Are we confident enough in our faith that we can be kind to everyone? Practice whenever you are out and you may experience your own aisle 6 moments!

2 Corinthians 3:18, “But we Christians have no veil over our faces; we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him.”

Titus 2:6-8, “In the same way, urge the young men to behave carefully, taking life seriously. And here you yourself must be an example to them of good deeds of every kind. Let everything you do reflect your love of the truth and the fact that you are in dead earnest about it. Your conversation should be so sensible and logical that anyone who wants to argue will be ashamed of himself because there won’t be anything to criticize in anything you say!”

Philippians 4:5, “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.”