Can I Get A Witness?

There stood before me a woman of mature age dressed in a long wrap of woven gold and brown thread. Upon her head was an intricately wrapped scarf that was pinned just below her chin. The scarf covered a great portion of her face so she did not see me when she stepped in my path.

This woman was hollering in an attempt to gain the attention of a man across the aisle. It was clear by the strangers reaction that he did not know this woman. I watched like a deer caught in headlights as she continued to holler with growing enthusiasm.

No, this elderly woman did not know the man across the aisle, but because of the deep pigment of his skin, the features upon his face, and his rich dark hair she recognized his nationality. She kept on hollering, “You are from my country! My country! Where are you from? Where?”

The stranger was now the one who stood like a deer caught in headlights. I shook my eyes away and removed myself from the flurry of activity as the two began an intimate conversation.

How interesting it was to witness the passion within this woman. She found a stranger with whom she shared a likeness. And she did not care who was around her witnessing her joy.

Matthew 7:16, You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?

As Christians, do we share the same excitement with others when we can identify the keeper of their heart? Several years ago I stood in the checkout at the local Walmart and the gentleman who was serving me absolutely reeked of Jesus. So I told him so. And this man- who was a complete stranger to me- beamed brighter than a bolt of lightening.

Let us be honest to acknowledge that identifying those whom share the same Spirit can be a difficult task. Every one of us has had a moment or two when we’re pretty sure Jesus had long left us when we acted out in our flesh. Those moments when we hold on to the shame of choosing to react to a person or situation as opposed to responding to a person or situation can leave an impact upon others. This is why we must continue to press on by pressing into Jesus. Our process of sanctification is a lifelong process not an overnight quick fix. Less of us leaves room for more of Him.

As Christians we do not all share the same tell-tale features on the outside, but we most certainly share many of the same features on the inside. Scripture tells us that we will be able to identify each other by the fruit of the Spirit we bear. Let us be wise to remember that just as we must press into Jesus to bear this fruit, we must also press into Jesus to witness this fruit in ourselves and others.

Now is the time to partake of this sweet precious fruit and identify it within one another. Now is the time for us to encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ so that they too may beam brighter than the sun. When we lift each other up bringing a voice to joy that works within us, we will not stand like a deer caught in headlights but feel the freedom to run.

Father, help me to see the good fruits that grow within others having the courage to encourage those in the body of Christ. In Jesus name, amen.

 

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