BY JESSICA LANDMON
Ordinary. Average. Run of the mill. Not special. These certainly aren’t words that we hope people use to describe us. But if we were completely honest, this is often how we feel. And, you wouldn’t be alone.
When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. – Act 4:13
Peter and John were just as they described them – ordinary and unschooled. But that wasn’t the end of their story. There was something different about them – something that made them stand out and made people take notice. The uninterrupted time that they spent with Jesus did something to them. It increased their wisdom, knowledge, and boldness for Him.
When I read accounts like this in the Bible, I often pause and do a little introspection. What do people say about me? Can they tell that I spent time with Jesus? Do my actions and words tell that narrative, or something quite the contrary?
What about you? When dealing with a difficult person, do you respond with love or impatience? What do you say when you are facing an impossible situation? Do you speak words of hope and life, or rather fear and doubt? Are you outspoken about your faith, or do you feel intimidated and threatened that you might offend someone?
Well, depending on how you answered these questions, you may want to spend some more time with Jesus. Allow time in His presence to transform you from the inside out. Let Him embolden you, empower you, and give you wisdom that only He can offer.
Dear Lord,
My prayer today is that every word I speak and every behavior I display brings testimony back to you of your supernatural, transforming power that is alive and active in my life. Let everyone I encounter today recognize that I spent time with you. Amen.