by Marilyn Ehle
“Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.”
1 Peter 2:12 (NLT)
The meeting was barely over when the woman who had been seated behind me asked, “Who cuts your hair?” I was momentarily stunned into silence by the unusual question, but then responded with the name of the person who had been my hairdresser for many years. “I thought so. It looks like her work”, was the reply.
It looks like her work. Those words flickered around my brain for much of the rest of the day as I contemplated God’s work in my life. Not only have I been created by God, but He continues His work in me and asks me to replicate that work in the lives of others. Can people see His handiwork in me? Am I about my Father’s business in such a way that when individuals see my actions and reactions, they immediately recognize the hand of the Creator God?
The Apostle Peter was writing to Christians who lived in a time of increasing persecution. He did not tell them to preach about their faith (although many did), but to live properly and honorably among their unbelieving neighbors. By living in such a way God would be glorified – His work would be seen in their lives.
Father, I wonder how often your work in me is hidden. Help me reveal your work, “your life” in my actions and my words.
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