Adelina Patti, a famous singer back in the late 1800’s, was traveling in France on a singing tour. She had instructed her home post office to forward all of her mail to a small French village where she planned to pick it up.
“Any mail for Adelina Patti?” she inquired of the postmaster who did not know her by sight.
“Yes,” said the postmaster, but have you anything to identify yourself with?”
She presented a visiting card which the postmaster told her was insufficient in proving she was indeed Adelina.
“What can I do?” she thought. Then a brilliant idea came to her. She began to sing! In a few moments the post office was filled with people listening to her rapturous voice. As she concluded her song, she asked the postmaster, “Are you satisfied now that I am Adelina Patti?”
“Totally satisfied!” he said apologetically. “Only Adelina Patti could sing as you have just sung.” And he gave her the bundle of mail.
She completely proved who she was by her voice and the way she sang.
I wonder, when people meet us for the first time, or even people who may know us but for a short time, do they know we are a Christian by the way we live and the way we act? Does our life prove that we are a Christian?
Our life should be a complete reflection of Jesus Christ. And the way we live and act in this world should point others to Him.
In 1 Timothy 4:12, Paul wrote to young Timothy, “…in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.”
In 1 Peter 2:21, Peter wrote, “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps”
When people see our life, our reaction to problems, the way we face difficulties, the way we act towards others, and our day-to-day activities – they should see something different than what they see in the lives of non-believers.
I wonder, do we point people to Jesus Christ by our life, or do we turn them away?
Could I be called a Christian if everybody knew,
My secret thoughts and feelings and everything I do?
Could they see the likeness of Christ in me each day?
Could they hear Him speaking in every word I say?
Could I be called a Christian if everyone could know,
That I am found in places where Jesus would not go?
Could they hear his echo in every song I sing?
In eating, drinking, dressing, could they see Christ in me?
Could I be called a Christian, if judged by what I read?
By all my recreations, and every thought and deed?
Could I be counted Christ-like as I now work and pray?
Unselfish, kind, forgiving, to others every day?
Let’s follow Jesus so closely that people have no question whatsoever about our faith in Him who is abundantly able to do far above all we could even think or ask.