God is gently shaping and refining my character. It’s an interesting process when I step back and realize what is going on. The Spirit nudges me periodically to keep my mouth shut or to speak up. Some days he nudges me and I don’t listen. Of course, the consequences are not pleasant. It ususally results in frustration or conflict with someone else.
Wednesday night was a nudge. After having an ashen cross smeared on my forehead at the Ash Wednesday service, I went grocery shopping at Target. Bear in mind that grocery shopping is one of my least favorite things to do and I’m almost always in a hurry when I go. In the midst of navigating my cart among aisle-blocking people oblivious to my presence, I grew impatient. Not unusual. However, as soon as I felt the scowl on my face, I remembered the cross on my forehead. Gasp! People could visibly see that I was a Christian. The look on my face, however, didn’t represent Jesus very well. Instantly I became more patient and grace-filled.
It occurred to me, what if I wore a visible symbol of my faith every day? Perhaps I would be more patient and grace filled all the time? Perhaps God’s nudges would happen less frequently? Perhaps those around me would have a better appreciation for Christians? What if every Christian wore a visible sign of their faith, which caused us all to act as Jesus instructed us? I think the world would be a little less hostile, more loving and more pleasant. I’m going to give it a try. I’m going to picture a cross on my forehead every day and remember that my words, my actions and even my facial expressions represent Christ to a watching world. I look forward to the experiment.
