Manna and Coffee

“The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.” Isaiah 29:13 (NIV)

The Lord has recently reminded me of the power of nonverbal communication.  A few months ago a colleague stopped me in the hall and asked me what was wrong.  I was caught off guard by his comment and asked him why he would think that something was awry.  He told me that I normally have a smile on my face and a word of encouragement every time that he passed me in the hall and that it really lifted his spirit.  I explained to him that I was just focused on my work and that nothing was wrong.  He then told me to keep smiling and encouraging because it really made a difference in our department.  Wow.

This incident was just another personal reminder that we are always communing whether we are aware of it or not.  As a representative of my Savior Jesus Christ, it is my heart’s desire to love others with my words, actions and attitude. We can say the right things and do the right things, but if our attitude stinks what have we really accomplished? The apostle Paul said our lives should be marked by faith, hope and love and that the greatest motivator is love (1 Corinthians 13:1-13).   The Lord is teaching this slow learner that an attitude that flows out of faith hope and love is a powerful thing. Our body language truly is a form of communication and needs to be brought under the Lordship of Christ. Groans, sighs and silence sometimes speak loader than complaints.

Joy cannot be manufactured. People can smell a fake a mile away. The Holy Spirit is the only true source of righteousness, peace and joy (Romans 14:17).  Just like we will smell like smoke if we hang out by a camp fire, we will have the aroma of Christ to those around us if we are spending time with God in prayer and the Word and if we are filled with His Holy Spirit  (2 Corinthians 2:15).

Dear Lord please fill me with Your Holy Spirit and help me to smell like you.  Forgive me when my attitude does not match my words and actions and help my life to be marked by faith, hope and love not by doubt, pessimism and judgement. You alone are worthy.