I often have experiences in this crazy mission field of mine that make me ponder my own Christian walk and faith.  I still am processing one of these situations from yesterday.  I am wondering….am I a person who walks like Jesus, or do I just proclaim with my tongue and show the lost otherwise.  A young man I teach showed me a powerful display of what Jesus looks like in this crazy, broken world.  It was such an authentic, powerful display of the love and grace of the Father.
 
A student who professes openly to be an unbeliever wore a T-shirt yesterday that had a derogatory comment about Christianity and a cross marked out on the front.  The Christian kids in the physical education class were furiously attacking this kid for the shirt, defending their faith they felt like was being attacked.  One young man stood beside this child, attempting to buffer the comments and accusations.  He was brokenhearted by the other’s reactions, and shared with the student how that’s not Jesus. He shared a message of love and compassion with this lost and confused student, while showing these things to him in the process.  Because he’s already been living this out toward him on a daily basis, the child listened to this message of what Christianity REALLY is.  My student sharing knew that anger and accusation don’t bring the lost into the kingdom of God, but consistently showing the love of Christ does. 
 
Do I attack evil rather than showing the love of the Father?  In these situations, which I also experience, how do I react?  Do I walk BESIDE someone who is in sin and share the message of Christ?  Do I REALLY love the lost?  I say I do, but do I show it?  Where would I have been in that gym?  Gossiping and whispering, accusing and throwing words of anger…..or walking along beside someone to share the truth of the gospel?  I have to look inward and examine my life with these questions.  I found this so powerful; I thought I would share as to maybe encourage someone else with the boldness of this thirteen year old young man. 
 
“They will know we are Christians by our LOVE.”

Tara Bensinger, NBCT
English Language Arts Teacher