In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 NIV
Living so that people can connect the dots between our lives and their Source usually has less to do with being impressive and more to do with being interpretable. People are most likely to connect the dots to God’s love when they consistently experience certain things around someone. For instance, Acts 4:13 tells us that when even skeptics observed the consistent character and lives of Peter and John, they were immediately aware they had been with Jesus.
There are a few practical ways that often enable people to interpret and translate our lives, leading to God.
Slow down enough to notice people. Most people feel invisible. Saying hello and having a conversation, remembering names, asking follow-up questions, checking in later, sitting with someone in struggle instead of shooting a quick “fix it” – these moments communicate.
Make sure your private life and public life match. Integrity is deeply persuasive. Consistency is far more appealing than perfection. Be unusually reliable. Keep your word. Show up on time. Pay attention. They must trust you to believe that faith in God is real.
Treat people as who they really are – image-bearers of God, not projects to be condescended to and fixed. People can sense when they are being recruited or “worked on.” They will only respond to genuine respect and care. No one wants to be a “goal.”
Be characterized by joy and gratitude. Not forced and “fake it till you make it” positivity, but a genuine appreciation for life. When you receive good gifts with joy and gratitude, you are quietly pointing to the good Giver. But also, suffer honestly. People notice when someone grieves, struggles, or fails without becoming cynical. They connect the dots when they see you confront the pains of life without going under.
Listen more than explain. As you read the Gospels, you see that Jesus approached people not dogmatically but with curiosity. He asked questions and listened. Sometimes the most Christlike element in a conversation is curiosity. Do you know anyone who put their faith in God because they lost an argument? I don’t. But I know many people who opened their hearts to hear more because they finally felt heard and understood.
Do your best work in private. That’s what God does. There will be a day when He makes the results public. Doing good when no recognition is possible powerfully shapes the soul. Unadvertised generosity, anonymous help, private prayer, forgiving someone who may never apologize. These decisions form us. The dots become prominent and easy to follow.
- Father, help me consistently drop the crumbs today that lead hungry people to You. Help them connect the dots that point to home. Amen.