Devotion #1: No Matter the Season
A few weeks ago, I was visiting a woman from the church in the hospital. She had just been through a very difficult tragedy with her home. Based on the damage that happened and where she was when it happened, she was very fortunate to have not been in a worse condition. From the moment I entered her room, she was full of life, boldness, and thankfulness, and her words stuck with me throughout the day.
What struck me most was what she was focused on and what she chose to talk about during the visit. Here was someone who could have very easily focused only on the pain and loss that she faced from her situation. Yet, she was outwardly expressing God’s truth and His plan for her in the midst of her tragedy. That visit gave me an awesome reminder of how powerful it is to share the truth of Christ, especially, in times of struggle.
In Romans 1:8, Paul writes, “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world.” This verse expresses Paul’s deep gratitude for the believers in Rome whose faith was not only strong but, more importantly, public. The telling of their faith from Paul’s perspective serves as a beautiful reminder that the Christian faith was never meant to be a quiet, private matter. Our faith is meant to be shared, and faith is a living testimony that speaks louder than words when shared openly.
Sometimes, life’s difficulties may make us hesitant to speak about our faith. We might fear rejection, ridicule, or the discomfort of being vulnerable with others about our struggles. This is where our faith can shine the brightest. Even in adversity, our trust in God and the hope we find in Him can be such a powerful proclamation to those around us. When we share how God is sustaining us not only in perfection, but especially in our weakness, it invites others to see the hope we have in Christ. We should have confidence in proclaiming our faith since we know how much others need to hear about the light of Christ.
Proclaiming our faith does not mean we have to be evangelists on every street corner or always have the perfect answer in any circumstance. It means living out the love of Christ in real, tangible ways, whether it is in a simple conversation with a friend or coworker, or even in a brief interaction at the grocery store. Our actions speak volumes, and our words can offer light to those in darkness. We never know what others are going through, and in the instance when we have a short opportunity to converse with someone else, they could be facing immense difficulty or pain. Hearing the Good News could be so crucial for someone in their season.
If you happen to be walking through a hard season, take heart. God is able to use you, even in your weakness. Your faith, though tested, can be a testament to others about God’s love and provision for His people. Whether it is through a quiet word of encouragement or a brave declaration of hope, your faith can be a light in the world, just as it was for the believers in Rome.
So, let us ask ourselves this question: How can we proclaim Christ, not just in good times, but in the hard moments, too? The world is watching, and your faith is a message of hope that will never return void.