By Luann Prater
"Make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it as on a seal: holy to the LORD.” Exodus 8:36 (NIV)
Recently I received a license plate with my company’s logo on it. They strongly encouraged us to place it on the front of our car so that everyone can see who I work with at a glance. I was pretty excited and proud to do it - at first. However, when someone cut me off in traffic and heat rushed up my spine, sending my morning smile into a scowl, I remembered the plate that identified me! I forced the grimmace to leave my face and replaced it with numbness. Arghh! The realization hit me, I can’t just react now without thinking of the impression it will leave on others. I must admit at times I’ve wanted to intentionally drive through a mud hole to mask the name on that plate.
My girlfriend won’t let her husband put a fish symbol on their car, a symbol of their faith, because she knows that car can sometime reflect a little “road rage.” She is afraid it might reflect poorly on her Savior. What if we had to wear the seal of God on our forehead for everyone to see? Would we act any differently? Would we be nicer to the store clerk, the grumpy boss or the bratty child? If at a glance the world could see who we were with, would it alter our behavior?
In Ephesians 1:13 it says, “… Having believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.” So we ARE marked with a seal, and it is not just on our foreheads, it should be oozing from every part of our being! When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, it is as powerfully evident to others as an engraved nameplate welded to our face that we belong to Christ. How? Matthew 5:16 tells us, “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
Surprisingly, I have become accustomed to to the nameplate on my car. I think now before I react. I consider the consequences of my driving. It has seriously made me a better driver and less stressed. Isn’t that amazing? It no longer makes me anxious or afraid that I will discredit my company. People recognize me coming now and wave.
So who is reading your nameplate? Do they recognize the light of Christ in your actions?
Father, we often try to blend in with the world. Give us freedom today to proudly display the righteousness You have given us by reflecting your light onto others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Dear Jesus: Seeking His Light in Your Life by Sarah Young
Visit Luann’s blog
Receive the P31 Woman magazine
Do You Know Him?
Application Steps:
Make a sticky note name-tag that states, like our key verse, “Holy to the Lord” and wear it today. Allow God to work through you and in you as others notice Who you are with.
Reflections:
What makes me hide the fact that I am a Christian?
How can I purposely shine on others today?
Why do I act as if no one is watching? God not only sees, His Holy Spirit is with you…during the good and bad reactions.
Power Verses:
Matthew 28:20b, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (NIV)
Col. 4:6, “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” (NIV)
1 Peter 3:15, “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” (NIV)
© Luann Prater 2008. All Rights Reserved.
"Make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it as on a seal: holy to the LORD.” Exodus 8:36 (NIV)
Recently I received a license plate with my company’s logo on it. They strongly encouraged us to place it on the front of our car so that everyone can see who I work with at a glance. I was pretty excited and proud to do it - at first. However, when someone cut me off in traffic and heat rushed up my spine, sending my morning smile into a scowl, I remembered the plate that identified me! I forced the grimmace to leave my face and replaced it with numbness. Arghh! The realization hit me, I can’t just react now without thinking of the impression it will leave on others. I must admit at times I’ve wanted to intentionally drive through a mud hole to mask the name on that plate.
My girlfriend won’t let her husband put a fish symbol on their car, a symbol of their faith, because she knows that car can sometime reflect a little “road rage.” She is afraid it might reflect poorly on her Savior. What if we had to wear the seal of God on our forehead for everyone to see? Would we act any differently? Would we be nicer to the store clerk, the grumpy boss or the bratty child? If at a glance the world could see who we were with, would it alter our behavior?
In Ephesians 1:13 it says, “… Having believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.” So we ARE marked with a seal, and it is not just on our foreheads, it should be oozing from every part of our being! When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, it is as powerfully evident to others as an engraved nameplate welded to our face that we belong to Christ. How? Matthew 5:16 tells us, “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
Surprisingly, I have become accustomed to to the nameplate on my car. I think now before I react. I consider the consequences of my driving. It has seriously made me a better driver and less stressed. Isn’t that amazing? It no longer makes me anxious or afraid that I will discredit my company. People recognize me coming now and wave.
So who is reading your nameplate? Do they recognize the light of Christ in your actions?
Father, we often try to blend in with the world. Give us freedom today to proudly display the righteousness You have given us by reflecting your light onto others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Dear Jesus: Seeking His Light in Your Life by Sarah Young
Visit Luann’s blog
Receive the P31 Woman magazine
Do You Know Him?
Application Steps:
Make a sticky note name-tag that states, like our key verse, “Holy to the Lord” and wear it today. Allow God to work through you and in you as others notice Who you are with.
Reflections:
What makes me hide the fact that I am a Christian?
How can I purposely shine on others today?
Why do I act as if no one is watching? God not only sees, His Holy Spirit is with you…during the good and bad reactions.
Power Verses:
Matthew 28:20b, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (NIV)
Col. 4:6, “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” (NIV)
1 Peter 3:15, “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” (NIV)
© Luann Prater 2008. All Rights Reserved.
4 Comments:
Sometimes it's such a struggle to break the habits of the past - like getting angry when someone cuts us off in traffic. It is nice to know that I'm not the only one trying to change... and reverting to habits of my old self (without even thinking - the body just seems to be on autopilot).
I thank God every day for His mercy. Without that we'd all be lost.
And thank you for letting me know that I'm not alone in this struggle.
-- Forgiven in NC
You gave me a wonderful visual this morning. Thank you.
Be blessed today and always...
We also don't have a fish on our car for that very reason. Not so much because of bad driving habits, but because everyone makes mistakes, and it's very hard to say "Sorry, I didn't mean to do that!" in a car.
Thank you for the great article- It's definitely "easier" to live anonymously, but that's not what we're called to do.
~Kate
Which Proverbs 14:1 Woman?
http://www.proverbs14-1.blogspot.com
On my old car I had a license plate border that read faith love obedience. I did not put it on the car I currently have for the same reason, I sometimes struggle to show Christ. I'm glad I'm not alone in this. Thank you.
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