When People Look at You, Who Do They See?

When people look at you, who do they see?

On the court, the field or in the classroom, what do people see when they look at you? Do they see an athlete, a student, a coach, a teacher or a friend? Do they see someone who is angry, frustrated, kind, short-tempered or patient? Do others see Jesus and His attributes in you, or do they see someone who is first something else and second a Christ follower?

How do we make the shift from serving ourselves and seeking our own benefit to submitting to God’s will and authority in our lives, and giving Him space to transform our ways of thinking and acting?

The apostle Paul states in his letter to the church at Corinth that when Jesus becomes our Lord and Savior, the old is put away and we become a new creation:

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!” -2 Corinthians 5:17

In becoming a new person, we begin a process called sanctification to grow not only closer to Christ, but also to look more like Him and reflect His attributes to the world.

It is a process over time that develops us slowly and steadily. The more we grow in our relationship with Christ, the more we reflect light in a dark world.

“For God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ.” -2 Corinthians 4:6

In life’s craziness, when others look at us, do they see us reflecting God’s glory by our words, actions and attitude (Galatians 5:22-23)? Let’s hope so, but we can also make sure.

As we grow in Christ and allow Him to transform us and our attitudes and actions, we begin to produce the fruit of the Spirit that gives evidence to God’s presence in our lives.

Instead of frustration, they see patience.

Instead of sadness, they see joy.

Instead of worry, they see peace.

Instead of hate, they see kindness.

Instead of meanness, they see goodness.

Instead of cheating, they see faithfulness.

Instead of harshness, they see gentleness.

Instead of undisciplined, they see self-control.

Paul went so far as to say that people should imitate him because he walked so close to God that he could confidently say he could be followed (1 Corinthians 4:16).

We, too, should spend so much time with Jesus through prayer, being in His Word and being with other believers that we naturally look more like Him each day.

The more we spend time with Jesus, looking at His live through Scripture, praying and talking with Him, and learning more about His heart, our lives begin to change to reflect His heart also. And the more time we spend with Him and let His love transform us, the more we want to look like Him and share him with our teammates, our coaches, our classmates and family.

Others should first see Jesus in us and then see an athlete, coach, teacher, spouse or parent. God at the forefront, and from there, everything else follows. His glory should radiate from us so that in all we do, His glory is seen and others are drawn to His light.
 

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Live It Out:

Quarter Verse – “We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit.” -2 Corinthians 3:18

Question – When others look at you what do you think they see? What do you want them to see? How can you begin to look more like Jesus?

Challenge – Ask someone you trust to tell you what they see when they look at you. Ask them what traits of Jesus they see in you and what traits you could work on. Begin spending daily time in Bible study and prayer so that you may start to reflect more of Jesus and His glory to others.

*If you read this article and aren’t in relationship with Christ yet but would like to know more, we invite you to go through FCA’s The FOUR, which explains how an everlasting and fulfilling life with God is possible.

We want you to join us as we go through the Glory journey this year! Discover Chasing Glory, Received Glory, Reflecting Glory and Lasting Glory in your heart and purpose by diving into God’s Word and joining us through monthly content and challenges. Visit 

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