You may not remember, but the last article I wrote was called, “Will You Share Yourself with Others this Christmas?” So, this title may sound like a sequel. Sequels are ways that the author or film company hope to draw you into their new story, because you already saw some value or entertainment in the first one. I’m suggesting that our interactions and relations to help and encourage others can and should be so much an integral part of our lives, that they happen all year long, whether we are conscious of it or not. A quote attributed to St. Francis of Assisi says, ” Preach the gospel at all times. When necessary use words.” As we seek to become more like Christ in our everyday lives, our actions should tell the story to everyone around us. In 1 Corinthians 2:2-5, the apostle Paul explained to the people in Corinth that his plan was not to use fancy and lofty words, but to demonstrate by his life the Spirit and love God had for them through knowing Christ. He said, “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” After all, we know that actions speak louder than words. When our actions to not match the words we use, it is received with confusion and mistrust. When Paul came to visit the Corinthians, they were genuinely excited to hear the words and wisdom Paul brought to them. You might have heard them asking questions like, “What do you know to help us, Paul?” But Paul says that is the wrong question to begin their conversation. It wasn’t that Paul didn’t have much knowledge and information to help their Christian community grow. But Paul says, a more important question is, “Whom do you know?” That is why Paul said he came in weakness, in fear and trembling. All he was offering to these friends from Corinth was himself and the Christ, who lived within him. We come into new relationships the same way. Really what we have to offer is ourselves with the talents and courage we have received from the Holy Spirit and who we are becoming as we grow to be like Christ. What is it, then, that Paul offered and we offer to everyone around us? It is our attempt to see and be in relationship with others. They may be members of our church or co-workers at our job. They may be neighbors next door or in the line at the grocery store. They may be the hurting and the hungry or the distracted and the cynical. They may know there is something missing in their life, or not even know there is something to search for. Are our eyes open to see everyone? Derek Weber of Discipleship Ministries offers this point, “Ultimately, it is about a relationship with Jesus Christ. But it might begin with a relationship with you. With us. With disciples of Jesus, who know nothing but Christ and are willing to demonstrate what God is doing in their lives each and every day.”1 Our last message ended with “The best gift we can give God, is to love him.” Now, we understand that the best gift we can give others is humbly sharing the love Christ has revealed to us. What will it look like? When we give the gift of ourselves, others will see how Jesus comes alive in all we do. It will change our hearts and can change other lives as well.

1Derek Weber, Discipleship Ministries, The United Methodist Church, 2.9.20, With a Demonstration

In the grace, Spirit and love of Christ, Carolyn Moe