One of my past times is cruising through the dictionary or thesaurus. One doesn’t need permission or a driver’s license for these “word tours” as I call them; but they are very helpful in giving direction to where you wish to go with your words.
I’ve actually been surprised when I locate a particular word thinking that I already know the meaning; because many times I’ve been way off course. So before we probe some of the characteristics of a compelling lifestyle, let’s navigate through some words that attempt to describe the word “compelling.”
Webster’s dictionary can lend us a hand. Here are just a few to get us onto the trail of discovering some of the depth of the word “compelling:”
Evoking interest or admiration in a powerfully irresistible way, captivating, irresistible, inspiring, convincing, believable, persuasive, potent, credible, efficacious, reasonable, telling, conclusive, unanswerable, influential
2 Corinthians 5:20 “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”
The Bible covers every imaginable topic of life in one way or another. The verse that should stimulate every Christian, every person who names the name of Jesus Christ as their own personal Savior, is to desire to be the best ambassador he or she can be.
An ambassador represents another country, its culture, lifestyle, and priorities.
An ambassador is an accredited diplomat sent by a kingdom or state as its permanent representative in a foreign country. We are God’s ambassador and all that He represents. We are not perfect, yet He leaves us here and assigns each of us an “area of influence,” if you will.
I’ve often heard from other believers that they yearn to be His witness down here on earth. What makes me chuckle is that we don’t have to “try” to be God’s emissaries here, we already “are.”
The way we act, speak, listen, care, love and respond to people “is our witness.” If we share with others that we belong to the Lord Jesus, they look at us, and many times say to themselves, “So this is like Jesus Christ?” Before we shudder in our flip flops or runners, let’s review that statement again in our minds. Clearly expressed, it means that people look at our lives and form an “opinion about Jesus Christ” after they’ve spent time with us; watching us, listening to us, working with us, living next door to us. For our families, it’s living with us, being on a team with us, and we could go on and on.
Before camping here much longer, if you feel convicted here, don’t hesitate to stand in line behind me! Aren’t we grateful that we’re all “in process” of becoming more like Jesus. Or at least I hope and trust that is “your personal goal.”
Our church has a theme, and it’s an honorable one……MORE PEOPLE, MORE LIKE JESUS. If you’re exiting a church parking lot on a Sunday morning, look around at the crowd of cars leaving the parking lot. Yes, one of our first display grounds after we’ve heard a stimulating sermon on becoming more like Jesus, is how drivers’ display patience and courtesy. I’ve seen people walk out the church door like a saint, and drive like a ………..maniac who hasn’t taken their medication.
This story is about a friend and mentor of mine who has moved “home with Jesus,” but her character traits have remained with me forever. It’s beautifully said that we become like whom we spend the most time with. That has merit in many arenas.
My dear friend left me many life lessons as I observed the beauty of her behavior in myriads of circumstances. She left me a “living legacy…..to live up to.” Actually, we all will leave this earth with a legacy, but how we live, love, and serve others will determine its accuracy in relating to being “more like Jesus.”
This friend demonstrated to me what it means to live a compelling life; a life that points to our Living Savior, Jesus Christ. He was compelled to go to the cross for each of us, taking our personal death penalty our sins deserved. He willingly laid down His life so we could get to know how much He loves us, and wants us with Him and to know Him for eternity.
Whether it’s on television or a movie, we have all probably seen someone who has just been saved from a devastating or life-threatening accident, only to realize that when they meet the person who came to their aid, they respond with enthusiastic praise like, “I can’t thank you enough; I owe you my life.” The individual vocally swells up with such compelling comments such as these to express their gratitude.
To be a promoter of the Lord Jesus Christ, there needs character traits observed in our lives that drive the compass of others towards Him. As I think about my mentor and friend, these are some of the legacies she left marinating in my heart and mind. She would have been the first to say about herself “If only I had lived better and more honoring to Jesus.” She quietly mentored my heart and life in many many ways.
The volume of her life spoke loud and clear to me. It wasn’t always what she said, but rather how she said it, or refrained from speaking when the crowd around her was waiting for a response that she would express in “grace.” She had the most remarkable way of “swallowing her words” before they exited her lips.
She never spoke glowingly about herself; but she always seemed to blossom with kindness, compassion, and gentleness when speaking about others. No wonder I loved being around her. She always saw my “potential” instead of the poverty of my behavior. Her theme gravitated toward showing me a better way….Jesus’ way of handling others.
This woman would “re-frame situations” to see how and what Jesus could do in redirecting whatever negativity was paraded before her. I learned by “watching her.” We can listen to a sermon on Sunday or anytime on the internet, but I’d rather “observe one” first hand anytime.
Godly character is beautiful to behold and walk alongside in any relationship. Our lives “do influence, even when we’re not aware of it.” I was privileged to write a tribute about my friend, because her life was a compelling tribute to God. And oh, how I desire to live in such a way that people will want to know and fall in love with Jesus.
“I am called to live in such a perfect relationship with God that my life produces a yearning for God in the lives of others, not admiration for myself.” “My Utmost for His Highest” devotion, Oswald Chambers
Our compass is God’s Word, the Bible. It lights our paths as to where to go, how to go, what to do, what not to do, to give us life at its finest.
Compass question for us all to answer is this:
What do people think about God, after spending time with you or me?
Does anything else in life really matter?
Cups of Cold Water 