Show Me, Don't Tell Me!

Faith that's lived out speaks louder than faith that's only talked about.

Theme: Show Me, Don't Tell Me!
Verse: "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." — 1 Corinthians 11:1

I'm from Missouri, so perhaps I'm naturally predisposed to appreciate the phrase, "Show me, don't tell me."

It's a pretty good philosophy for life—and an especially good one when it comes to our faith.

My wife's friend, Beth, remarked the other day that one thing she's learned about men over the years is that it's more important to pay attention to what they do than to what they say.

It sounds simple, but I think it's profound.

We live in a world where anyone with a camera and a microphone can become a social media "influencer." People can share whatever life theory they've dreamed up, package it nicely, and broadcast it to thousands—or millions—of people.

That makes it more important than ever to look beyond the message and pay attention to the messenger. What have they actually done? Are they living what they teach?

Jesus was the original influencer—and, as best I can tell, He did it without the internet.

He told stories. He listened to people. He taught with authority. And, most importantly, He put His teachings into action.

The list of His actions is long. Here are just a few highlights:

• He healed the blind and the deaf. (Throughout the Gospels.)

• He turned water into wine. (John 2—and one of my sister's and sister-in-law's favorites!)

• He fed the five thousand. (Matthew 14; Mark 6; Luke 9; John 6.)

• He raised Lazarus from the dead. (John 11.)

• He washed His disciples' feet. (John 13.)

Jesus didn't simply tell people what love, compassion, faith, and service looked like. He demonstrated them.

And that matters for us, too.

Few people will be influenced by what we say if our actions continually contradict our words.

If you want to be a better running coach, you'd better be willing to put in the miles with your trainee.

If you want to be a better spouse, invest in your marriage.

If you want to be a better parent, demonstrate the values you want your children to embrace.

If you want to be a better follower of Jesus, learn His Word—and then live it.

If our goal is to become more like Jesus—and, hint: that's a really good goal—let's be people of action, not just words.

Study God's Word. Put it into practice. Be His hands and feet here on earth. Live in such a way that people notice something different about you.

Maybe they notice your joy. Maybe your generosity. Maybe your patience. Maybe the way you treat people when nobody is watching.

Make people curious.

Let them wonder, "What drives that person to live that way?"

And perhaps that curiosity will open the door to a conversation about the source of your hope, the power behind your life, and the person you're striving to become more like.

Paul said, "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ."

That's a pretty high standard, but an example worth striving to follow.

Don't just tell people what you believe. Show them.

Have a GREAT week!