I am very concerned about my Christian witness and I have always been.  Can people around me tell that I am a Christian?  Am I sharing Christ’s love and helping people see Jesus as I go about my daily life?  My Christian witness has never been “preaching on the street corners” bold.  I’m too much of an introvert for that.  But am I so much of an introvert that people can’t even tell that I am a Christian?

These are questions I wrestle with.  I want to be effective in my Christian witness.  As a pastor it was relatively easy to talk to people every day about Jesus and how to follow him.  Retired and isolated at home, or even working in the National parks, I have to be more deliberate in my witness.  If we are to keep the Great Commission, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19) then we can’t hold back and hope someone else does the work.  After all, “go” is the first part of the commission.

Being the introvert that I am, I thought about wearing a t-shirt that says:  “I am a Christian.  Please tell me if you don’t think I am behaving like one.”  After all, one of the biggest problems people have with Christianity is what they perceive as all the hypocrites:  people who act one way in church and another way out in the world.  I think a t-shirt like that would help me be more deliberate about how I act in public.  Could I be humble if someone really told me they didn’t think I was behaving like a Christian?  Would it open doors to talk to people about following Christ and how we all do it imperfectly but he forgives us and loves us anyway?

Today is Easter and we celebrate Jesus and his resurrection.  I am so very thankful for a Savior who loves me enough to die for me and then share eternal life with me.  On Easter, and every day, I want what I say and do to reflect my love for the one who loves me best.