I am delighted to have my sweet friend, Rachel Shaw, as my Guest Blogger again.
As you may already know, I wrote a guest blog last November, entitled, “How Three Ladies Made a Difference in My Life.” You can read it HERE. Today, I decided to write something on a similar, yet different note: “How Four Men Impacted My Life.”
Let me tell you a little bit about these four men. All of these men are married (so, no, I’m not dating them). As I served alongside them on several occasions, they’ve continued to point to Christ through everything they do. I can’t wait to share with you how they have impacted my life and changed the way I view Christ and the cross.
My cousin, Travis, exemplified very powerful characteristics of Christ: humility and willingness to serve. When my grandparents asked him if he would do something for them, he willingly and joyfully agreed. He obeyed even though it wasn’t convenient for him. He obeyed even though it wasn’t exactly easy or fun. If it wasn’t fun, or easy, or convenient, then why did Travis obey? Well, I’m so glad you asked!
The answer is simply because he realized that it was an opportunity to honor Christ, an opportunity to reflect the humble nature of God. By humbly obeying, Travis is being a wonderful reflection of Christ’s character and love.
Similarly, in Philippians 2:5-11, Paul talks about how Jesus—the Creator of the earth—died humbly for our sins, and He didn’t have to. As we read Philippians 2:5-11 below, I’d like you to think about how Jesus willingly served us by dying on the cross for us:
5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
The second man who made an impact on me is Benjamin. God has gifted Benjamin with the ability to build relationships. When given the opportunity to greet first-time visitors and people who were not familiar with the Gospel, Benjamin jumped in willingly and excitedly. He and his wife took time out of their busy schedules—in one of the busiest times of the year (Christmas)—to tell people about Jesus.
Instead of using Christmas break for himself, he used it to invest in other people’s lives. He made everyone feel welcomed and loved—even if that meant “getting out of his comfort zone.” As Benjamin saw Christ at work in other peoples’ lives, he complimented them joyfully, without being jealous or contentious. Benjamin wisely invested his time, talents, and treasures for our Risen Savior! When he has to give an account before the Lord about how he used his gifts and abilities for Christ, he will hear “well done, my good and faithful servant” because he has selflessly served Christ with his talents.
Matthew 25:21 says: His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.”
I had the wonderful privilege to see Benjamin’s selfless acts in action over Christmas break. His selflessness reminds me to get to know the people around me, spend time with them, cherish and care about them like Christ does for me.
He lived out Philippians 2:3-4, which says: Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Jeremiah serves in the Children’s Ministry at church, and he is not afraid to speak the truth in love to the children in Sunday School class. If he runs into sticky situations, which are almost unavoidable in children’s ministry, his immediate reaction is, “How can I glorify God in this situation? Who can I love and serve in this situation?” That kind of attitude cannot be produced overnight. It can only be produced as a result of Christ at work in Jeremiah’s life. Since Jeremiah is a Christian, he views life differently than non-Christians. He views life as an opportunity to love Jesus by loving and serving others.
When a child stubbornly disobeys a class leader, Jeremiah is not afraid to speak to that child privately, address his sin, and gently and kindly encourage that child to ask for forgiveness to the person(s) whom he has hurt/disobeyed. I’m so thankful that Jeremiah is ready and willing to jump in and serve in children’s ministry! His service is an example for me to emulate as I serve in children’s ministry too! I want to keep Christ at the center of my service, and remember that Christ is a Redeeming, Forgiving Savior, Who loves us—even in our deepest, darkest moments of sin! Wow, what a Savior!
Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, – Ephesians 4:15
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. – I Peter 4:8
… but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – Romans 5:8
Thomas works at a hospital—a secular environment. Do you think Thomas can still glorify God in a secular, self-centered, work environment? ABSOLUTELY! In fact, that’s exactly what Thomas does! Thomas is always willing to jump in and serve others—no matter the location! When he interacts with patients at the hospital, he is intently interested in their lives, exemplifying selfless love. By not only asking questions, but also showing care and kindness to people in distress over health situations, Thomas’s life points to an all-knowing, all-powerful, Sovereign God. Thomas shows love to his co-workers, who are not the most pleasant people to be around, just like Ruth did in how she handled her relationship with her mother-in-law, Naomi. If you were around Thomas for just a little while, you would quickly catch on that Thomas is a thankful person. Thankfulness starts at the heart, not the mouth. Like all of us, Thomas has to consciously work at cultivating a heart of thankfulness; it does not come naturally to him—or us.
Matthew 5:14, 16 says: “You are the light of the world…In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Thomas is really good at sharing the light of the Gospel in his work environment, and that challenges me to do the same wherever I am: at home, work, or church.
CONCLUSION
As we read about Travis, we are reminded that we need to be humble enough to obey even if it isn’t easy.
Benjamin got to know strangers (which is hard to do) and gladly told them about Jesus. What an awesome example of evangelism in the life of a changed believer!
When we look at Jeremiah’s service in children’s ministry, we see that even though speaking the truth in love to someone (especially a child) isn’t easy, it’s absolutely necessary! And it is what God has called every one of us to do on a regular basis.
And lastly, Thomas showed us that living for Christ in a secular workplace is possible! And, not only is it possible, it is also vital to daily Christian living. We must not only “talk the talk,” we must also “walk the walk!”
Let’s live for Christ in service, outreach, and faithful obedience today!
*All Scripture passages are taken from the English Standard Version (ESV) of the Holy Bible.
MY GUEST BLOGGER:
Rachel Shaw is a 15-year-old young lady, who loves the Lord! She and her family live in Lafayette, Indiana. She loves to write, so please follow her blog, Rachel’s Reflections. Besides blogging, you may find her baking delicious desserts like blueberry muffins (family favorite!) or reading one of her favorite books. She is currently writing a novel about a Pony Express rider. Stay tuned for more information about the book on her blog, Rachel’s Reflections!
Rachel’s dad is Dr. Mark Shaw, a dear brother in Christ who has discipled and taught me so much about loving the Lord, living out The Great Commission, and using the Holy Spirit-inspired Word of God to bring hope and help to hurting people enslaved to addictions.
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