How Are You Known?

This was one of my friend’s Facebook statuses this week:

“Just a thought … If you spent even a fraction of the time you spend trying to sell yourself to other people, by trying to sell Christ instead, what would your return look like !?!?”

And it truly got me to thinking. How am I known?I’m probably first known as Greg’s wife, since he leads worship for our church. Then, ‘that crazy lady with 5 kids running around!’ I might even be recognized as a ‘blogger’ (I can hope, right?!) I may slightly be known as a Lilla Rose consultant (at least, on the internet.)

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

“By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13.35

Am I known by my love? So often Christians are known for the things which they hate, detest, and make them angry. Don’t get me wrong here, there are certainly things we need to have some righteous anger about! However, are those things so prevalent in our lives that it drowns out our love for God and people?

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.” Matthew 7.15-20

Am I bearing fruit? Of course. We are all bearing fruit. The better question is, what kind of fruit are you bearing? Love, joy, peace, patience (yikes!), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control? Or greed, anger, bitterness, jealousy, lust, and evil?

When people see us, what do they truly see? Are we so wrapped up in ourselves that they can’t get past ‘us’ because we won’t let them? Are we so consumed with profiting self and promoting self that the gospel message is never made known? OR are we so consumed with the love of God that the message of Jesus Christ can not help but pass our lips in our conversations? Don’t we desire more than anything for others to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ? Do we really desire change in those around us because of the work of the Holy Spirit?

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

“How much better to get wisdom than gold,
to choose understanding rather than silver! ” Proverbs 16.16

Am I striving after wisdom and understanding, or things that will pass away? Sometimes we don’t see ourselves for what we really are. I know I am guilty of that. In my head, I have an image of who I want to be, who I think I am. And, too often it is a false image. When people talk about me, I want them to talk about my desire to know God more, love Him better, and my boldness in proclaiming who Jesus is. However, just because that is what I want, does not make it true of me.

Yes, I am Greg’s wife, and a mother with 5 children running around. Yes, we homeschool, and yes, we wear skirts. Yes, I am a Lilla Rose Consultant and obviously I am a blogger. But. Do all of those things outweigh the fact that I am a child of God? That His Spirit lives within me? That there is a passion to gain knowledge and wisdom? That I truly do want to share the gospel with those around me, even if the only ones who I am around are my 5 little children? That despite my flesh, I want to show love to those around me? I want to love like Jesus loved (and yes, I know that it isn’t easy!).

I hope not.

So, my question for you is….

How are you known?

Blessings,