I was at Kroger’s picking up a few things and out of nowhere, I heard someone say something to me. Now, with facial coverings and social distancing you rarely hear people chatting to each other unless that absolutely have to do so. Then, I heard the voice again and a man quickly approached and sharply asked me, “Do you really??” It took me about 3 seconds to realize that he was referring to one of the many old NHC Caregroup shirts I regularly wear.

If you’re wandering, the question printed on the t-shirt states, “ASK ME… I CARE! As I mentioned, I wear these t-shirts quite regularly and in over 9 years no one has ever asked me that question.

Intuitively, I responded, “Yes, I do!” To that he immediately replied, “About what?” Realizing that now I’m on the hook to continue engaging him, I said, “To love Jesus Christ and to share His love with others!!” The gentleman smiled, pulled out a cross emblem from his t-shirt, and pleasantly said, “Exactly, that’s what’s it’s all about—especially during these times!”

At this point, the lane we were obstructing started to get a little congested by fellow shoppers who weren’t the least bit interested in our 20 second bantering session. So in parting, I asked him for his name and he said, “Martin” and I told him my name and then I parted ways with saying, “God bless you.”

Which brings us to the foundation of this devotional. What if the only Jesus someone sees is through you? As followers of Christ, we bear the responsibility to demonstrate to the world what Jesus would look like if He was walking the earth today.

We live amongst people that will never enter the door of a church or read the Bible or hear a sermon. But these people have the opportunity to know Jesus by watching us! I know Martin was wearing a cross emblem, but what I don’t who is where he was in his faith journey. Perhaps, he need confirmation that grace still exist despite the hate we see climbing rapidly in our world.

In Matthew 5:16 Jesus said, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” The light Jesus is referring to is that positive change within you; that contentment; that inner peacefulness (even when chaos is all around you) that you just can’t contain with subtlety or oblivion.

Brothers and sisters, now more than ever, we are called to be light to a world struggling against physical and spiritual forces like never before. As we currently deal with issues involving our health, identities, finances, and governments, our presence as light for God is so important.

To be honest, for a moment, I thought Martin was being rude and my first thought was to say, “What’s it to you”, but that’s not what The Holy Spirit (Light) led me to do!

In hindsight, I don’t know the impact that 20 second encounter meant for Martin, but it meant enough for me to write about it. Fact is; when we embody the light of Christ and are willing to share that light with others as Jesus did, serving them with peaceful hearts and directing them toward God’s provision, grace, and mercy it opens up opportunities that births faith, hope, and love in the hearts of God’s people and it glorifies God in heaven.

Quiet as it’s kept, God is probably asked this question more times than many and I would be willingly to bet the farm that if someone ask Him ‘does He care’, He would respond with one question; “Is the tomb empty?!”