READ: 1 JOHN 4: 18-24
It is by our actions that we know we are living in truth, so we will be confident when we stand before the Lord. (V. 19)
My brother and I won goldfish playing games at local carnivals. We would bring these short-lived fish home and put them in a cheap glass bowl. In my wildest thoughts I never believed my life would reflect, at times, that of these tiny creatures, but God does indeed work in mysterious ways.
When I was sworn in as a police officer, I was given a uniform to wear so that I would be set apart and readily visible to my fellow citizens. My mobile office was a white car equipped with red and blue lights on a roof rack; the work “POLICE” written on the doors and trunk in bold lettering; and numbers inscribed on the roof support pillars—all designed to make me stand out. Suddenly, I felt like a goldfish in a bowl being constantly watched for ten hours a day by thousands of eyes. Respite came with coffee or conversation within the station house; behind shopping centers as we parked our white beasts door to door; or behind churches which we generally regarded as safe havens during the weekday or evening hours. I learned that visibility translated into accountability. My actions had best reflect the honor and respect given to me by virtue of my position. Behavioral failures were not an option lest the Department lose community trust. Imagine a police department, and there have been a few, who have lost the sacred trust of the community and relied upon fear and intimidation as their primary law enforcement tools—not a safe healthy place to live by any definition. Even though pressure filled, transparent fishbowl living is essential to any law enforcement operation. Lose trust, and like the goldfish whose bowl is cracked and loses water, the department will wither and die.
Like the police, Christians are to lead highly visible lives if they are to accomplish anything of eternal value. Being highly visible instruments of God requires that our actions be in constant concert with our biblical based values and beliefs. In short, our actions in the “fishbowl of life,” speak louder than any words we could ever speak. The Disciple John prods us to put God’s living truth into daily action so that we will be able to pass muster on the day we stand in judgement before the Lord.
PAUSE FOR REFLECTION AND PRAYER
Did you ever stop to consider how many eyes are focused upon you each day? Each pair looking to see if your walk and talk are one in the same. God knows our hearts and minds—are you ready for His accountability examination?
Jesus, help me keep my actions in concert with my faith so that I will make a difference for you.