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How Do We Look?
While running errands this morning, I noticed a couple of brand new signs going up at some businesses. They caught my eye and for some reason also caused me to notice a few signs that are faded, neglected, and in need of refurbishing.
How is your sign? You know, the one that people see when they look at you. Do they see happy, joyous, friendly, courteous, and righteous? Or do they see grumpy, careless, dishonest, selfish and/or arrogant?
Maybe we get used to some places looking a certain way, for instance, restaurants, because we go there often, and we know the outside doesn't necessarily depict the inside. But if we are in a strange city, looking for a place to eat, would we stop at the one that is maintained well, grass mowed, weeds controlled, fixed up with a new sign and a clean kitchen, or would we stop at the one that we might have to guess if they were even in business given the neglected way the place looks or smells. We might enter with caution, and get a glimpse into a filthy kitchen that would cause us to leave.
When people look at us as Christians, what they see formulates an opinion, just like a filthy kitchen would. Now our opinions are not always fact by any means, one's physical appearance does not necessarily tell the story of one's personality or lifestyle, and that door swings both ways. Looking "good" doesn't guarantee goodness either. But unless we know otherwise we will likely reach a conclusion based on what we see, especially regarding a person's speech and behavior.
God tells us people are watching and He wants them to see what we are. What they see will register with them causing them to conclude what we are about. When they look, our lives need to show them how we live, how we communicate and otherwise what we are about, and we need to be all about God. He tells us to do good works for the people who are watching so that He can be praised. We need to make the Gospel message attractive to outsiders, and if they look at our lifestyle and behavior and immediately determine it to be undesirable, chances are they will not be interested in anything we have to say about spiritual matters.
Today, reflect on how people see you. Are they seeing what God would desire them to see? Does your sign need some repairs, fresh paint or new light bulbs? Or is it hidden by the weeds you have let grow up around it? Is it time to clean your kitchen? No better time than now to fix it!
