Once upon a long time ago, I attended a conference at which the speaker said something like, “When people look at you, can they see that you belong to Jesus?” He gave an analogy about how children often bear a resemblance to their parents – their eyes are the same color or their ears are the same shape. Maybe they even demonstrate the same mannerisms.
In my case, I thought about my nose. By no means is it dainty. It has a bump on the bridge and a bulb at the bottom, and wouldn’t ya know it? It looks just like my dad’s. In fact, the older I get, the more it resembles his. It’s obvious that I’m Henry’s daughter; the shape of my nose is his mark of ownership on me.
In the spiritual realm, God has placed His mark of ownership on us by giving us His Holy Spirit. Ephesians 1:13 says, “And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago.” And when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, He produces character qualities in us such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22,23). These characteristics demonstrate to a watching world that we belong to Jesus. They are His mark of ownership on His children.
The speaker’s question – “When people look at you, can they see that you belong to Jesus?” – is the only thing I remember from that conference. It challenged me then and it challenges me now. I’m sure there are days when those who know me best would hesitate before answering positively, but my prayer is that, overall, the answer comes back as “Yes!”
How about you? When people look at you, can they see Jesus’ mark of ownership on you? If so, that’s wonderful! If not, what needs to change?
Thank you for your weeked spent with us at Renovare 🙂 What a blessing, and I hope that you get time to REST and REJUVANATE inbetween these engagements and the other things on your to-do list. I have come home to the same family and house that I left (ran from) on Friday – but with different convictions laid on my heart, and a longing to show my children and husband mercy & grace (!) that I have long been withholding from them for so long now. The Holy Spirit truly used you as His instrument to speak some meaningful scripture and lessons into my heart … (and now I can look forward to your books over the next months too), I trust the Lord will provide the solitude and TIME that I need to get back to that place where we are meant to tarry in His word and experience His friendship. Thanks Grace – you are just so gifted, what a blessing to hear you speak this past weekend! God Bless !!