Speak it out loud!

"Whoever acknowledges me before men,

I will acknowledge him before my Father

in heaven."

Matthew 10:32



Last week I was in a local hospital seeing a patient and got on an elevator with a man in scrubs, whom I assumed to be a doctor. It was a short ride, only one floor up, but something made me speak to the man. I asked if he was having a good day. His reply...

"Every day is good when you have Jesus!"

I was so struck by the ease with which he said that, not knowing anything about me at all. I could have responded with disdain and mockery, or just politely agreed and then turned to face the wall, or I could have been someone angry and hurt enough to take issue with him right there in the elevator.

Instead I was able to agree wholeheartedly and enjoy a bond with a total stranger because of Jesus. What really struck me, though, was that that would never have been my response to that question. Not because it's not true, but because... well, I'm still trying to figure that out.

I don't believe I have to say that or something like that to be an effective witness, but what a witness it is to simply acknowledge that life is good with Jesus!

It made me think of the scripture written above. It this what God means by acknowledging him before men? Should we as Christians, in a world awash with every imaginable mess of men, be so at ease with this simple testimony? I think the answer to that question is 'yes'.

The world is looking for answers, and for the most part they're looking in all the wrong places. What if each of us, with the simple testimony of "every day is good when you have Jesus", presented an open door for a seeker to ask questions, to sit and listen to the gospel and what Jesus means to us? What if we all did that every day?

What if we said it even on those days when everything was falling apart? What if we said when:

• the car breaks down
• we lose our jobs
• our spouse or child gets sick
• we don't feel good
• we're frustrated
• someone hurts our feelings

I don't mean say it like some people say "praise the Lord", as a habit instead of an offering. But what if someone asks how we can say that on such a bad day and we can tell them why?

Is every day for you a good one because you have Jesus? Have you told someone today?

I want to be one of those people so excited and comfortable with my faith that I can say that and say it from my heart. How about you?

Have a blessed day today because Jesus lives! I am praying for you.

Sherri