Living Epistles
Paul wrote to the Corinthian Church reminding them that they were epistles, or letters, from Christ, that would be read by all. (II Cor. 3.1-3) What a descriptive way to express the effect of Christ in the life of a believer! Just as one reads a book and can understand the author’s intent and message, so those who are in contact with us, in observing our lives, can see clearly God’s message. Paul was reminding the Church that even though he had contributed to the message that was written on their lives, it was the Holy Spirit who was the author. People all over the world are looking for God. Some are looking into nature to find Him. Others are looking to the stars. And even others are trying to look deep into themselves to find God. God desires to be found and so is busy writing His love message for all to read on the tablets of human hearts.
To continue with this metaphor, let us consider each day to be a blank page. As you begin your day, the page begins be filled with your experiences. Not only what you do is written down, but your emotions, words and attitudes, thus making this a living book. When others read your book, they will not only come to know your story, but also God’s purpose and influence. The life of a believer is probably the only Bible many will read. They will see how God takes a life and makes it new, how He heals the wounded, strengthens the weak, forgives the sinner and restores the brokenhearted. Your life is a love story. It is God meeting you where you are and transforming you into His image. Written on the pages of your heart are times of intimacy with God, the joys of being in His presence and listening to every Word.
This epistle of Christ is also an adventure story. It is filled with many challenges and narrow escapes. Life is difficult for everyone, yet some lives are more difficult than others. Life isn’t fair. So don’t expect it to be and don’t compare your life with others. It is God who writes His love message through your problems, losses and failures. It is God’s strength that is read in your weaknesses. It is His forgiveness that is observed in your failures and other’s failures toward you. His goodness is seen in your blessing and His power is read of in your victories. It is the going through the challenges and problems of life, rather than their absence, that makes for a good read.
Your life is a true story. It is not fiction. There are no special effects, wounds that don’t hurt or heroes that don’t die. Your life is the real thing. That’s why people are paying such close attention to you. Your reality identifies with their reality. They have doubted God and others in the past and yet are still looking for Him. Most are so tired of the soap operas that surround them and the plastic illusions of the “better life”. They have been so let down by others and are so frustrated with life. They long for the real thing. As you open your book to others and let them read about Him in you, hope will be rekindled and faith ignited.
The reading of your “book”, can have a great influence on others. Your testimony can help navigate others through their rocky places, empower them to be better than they are and enlarge their understanding. You can connect with others and help them connect with God. Your story can be an inspiration to rise above mediocrity and overcome fear. God’s story in you is exciting and He is still writing.
Scriptures to meditate on:
Acts 4.13; II Cor. 3.1-6; 12.9; Joshua 1.8; Psalms 40.7-8