How You Are Described

    One of the ways I like to get to know people better is by having times where I meet with them one on one. I do this with the players I coach. One time I had a meeting with a player toward the end of the season. 

   At the end of the meeting, she told me that she would have avoided having a meeting with me had I asked at the beginning of the season. I asked why? She said because she was intimated by me because I seemed very serious. I then asked what changed? She said she got to know me more and saw how I interacted with her and the other members of the team. She realized that I was a very caring person.

   Then, because I like questions, I asked her how she would describe me. She said in one word she would say caring. The next word she would say strict, but about soccer; and that's a good thing for a soccer coach. 

   This got me thinking about how other people would describe me to someone if they had to. The next day I asked a co-worker how she would describe me. She said caring, comedic, sarcastic, and generous. Some of the ways she described me I would have not used to describe myself. It's not that they were bad things, it's just that I didn't think of myself in that way.

   It is interesting to find out what adjectives people would use to describe us. The thing is it is important to think about how they would describe us. We, who call ourselves Christians, are labeled. People who know that about us will be watching to see how we act. Are we loving? Are we loyal? Are we generous? Are we a reflection of Jesus? 

   Matthew 5:16 says, "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." We are to be a light, not a hindrance to the gospel. There's a saying that goes, "you may be the only Bible someone will ever read." That should make us think about our actions. We can say we love Jesus but if our actions don't show it, why would anyone want to follow Jesus if we are the example? That's why we must walk our talk. We must reflect on our actions and be a light for Christ.

   So, how would people describe you? Are you being a light for Christ? If not, what can you do to change that?