As I write this devotional, I have just returned from the Sixth Annual Meeting & Worship Conference of the Covenant Brethren Church held in Johnstown, PA. It was a glorious three days! The singing and worship were heavenly. The sermons, devotions, and reflections were so helpful. The sense of unity and shared love in Christ was amazing. Jesus and His Word were so central to everything we shared!
Friday morning began with coffee and donuts, compliments of Brethren Mutual Aid Agency. The local, Johnstown-made donuts were fresh, gooey, and dripping with glaze. Yum! But I found I couldn’t eat one without having glaze all over my face and fingers. Even with napkins, I was a mess.
It was a bit later in the day when I realized I was still sticky. I rushed to the restroom to clean up. But it occurred to me how many brothers and sisters I had greeted with handshakes and hugs that morning. Oh my! A lot! I was embarrassed. I suppose I left a little bit of Johnstown donut glaze with quite a few folks that morning.
You know our Christian walk should reflect this daily. As we interact with our family, friends, co-workers, strangers, store clerks, and others, we ought to leave a bit of Jesus with them. A smile here, a kind word there, an expression of thanks, a token of love. These small details, which often appear insignificant and hardly warrant a second thought, are, in fact, expressions of “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27 (NIV). The Holy Spirit’s transforming work in you and in me is to bear witness to a hurting and unsaved world so desperately in need of the knowledge of how Christ loved and died for them.
The meanness and vile nature of so much of political discourse in our nation, even by those claiming to be Christian, is a witness to this desperate need. That coffee shop clerk whom you share a friendly, thankful word with may be experiencing a brokenness at home. That co-worker who you say a little prayer for because their spouse just received a difficult diagnosis may think about your prayer throughout the day. The lonely neighbor you checked in on. The family member you sent a little, “thinking about you,” text to. The lunchtime waitress you engaged in some caring conversation and then tipped a little extra. The note you left your spouse expressing love. Many small actions that may seem insignificant truly reflect the touch of Christ in our daily lives.
Just as I left some sticky glaze on many brothers and sisters I interacted with, so we leave a little Christ with many every day in all our little interactions. I pray for you to be a bit “sticky” today as you interact with others.
Pastor Larry M. Dentler, CBC Executive Board
