Witnessing does not have to be complicated. Below are some simple ways to let your light shine in your community and anywhere you may go. As you read these, perhaps you will be inspired with some ideas of your own. Be creative. Feel welcome to add any ideas of your own to the comments for this post.
A kind, courteous Christian is the most powerful argument that can be produced in favor of Christianity. —Ellen White, Gospel Workers, page 122.
The following is commentary on the Sabbath School Bible Study Guide lesson for March 1.
It counts for something that the first book of the Bible to record the lives of the apostles after the resurrection is entitled “The Acts of the Apostles.” It is not called “The Beliefs of the Apostles,” or “The Apostolic Enlightenment.” Although the deeds of the believers were heavily grounded in beliefs and spiritual vision, it was their works and lives that attracted attention. This supports the commonly held view that people do not respect what a person or organization says, until they respect what that person or organization does.
I wanted to write some really profound lesson I learned from 2007, but so far I haven’t come up with anything. What I’ve learned seems to be a random collection of observations, insights, and questions. Nevertheless, some of these might be useful or interesting, so here is a sampling:
FRIENDSHIP: Friendship is a funny thing. It is so desirable, yet in its purest form so unattainable. Most of my adult life I’ve tried so hard to cultivate friendships that I’ve suppressed my true personality, as well as my opinions and sometimes even convictions, believing that my true self is not sufficiently likable. But the result has been friendships that (with a few exceptions) barely exist, that are more illusion than reality — and there are not even many of those. I’m left believing that others like not the real me, but instead this limited and fine-tuned projection of me, if that. As a result, lately I have become a little more outspoken. So far it has neither helped nor hindered my relationships, but at least I feel more genuine. As much as I want to be likable, I feel even more compelled to be honest. Whether that will add or detract from my friendships remains to be seen, but either way I am willing to bear the consequences. This is partly because I have come to believe that a true friend will like me for who I am, and such a friendship will only blossom when who I am is outwardly apparent. (Of course, such a life must be lived in the context of who God wants me to be.)