does it make a sound, how would you know?
I love being a Christian. It’s not hard—well, most of the time it’s not—but it is challenging, in a good way. I can admit that I never really understood what coveting was until I chose to live a simple, faithful life and then drove past a big house with a fantastic pool on a hot day. I used to live that life. But now, God has other plans for me—plans that are teaching me humility.
What makes it hard is knowing that I could go back to that life. All I’d need to do is convince myself that while God’s plan is great, my plan isn’t so bad either—and mine includes a big house with a pool on a hot day. That’s what coveting is: not denying God’s plan, just quietly preferring your own. It’s the subtle lie that says, “It’s not that God is wrong… I just like my way better.” But that is, in fact, saying that God is wrong and I am right.
So I keep walking forward, trying to follow God’s plan, and hoping that one day it will become easier to accept that His plan is better than mine.
The strange thing is: I really do believe in God. I believe He is benevolent and loves me. I believe He’ll provide everything I need to get to Heaven and be with Him. I truly trust Him. But even with that trust, doubt creeps in. Sometimes I worry that God made a mistake—even though I know He doesn’t. That lie can be so strong.
How can you tell I’m a Christian? Hopefully not just because I say so—but because you see me doing the will of my Father rather than my own.
And it starts with accepting the truth: everyone I encounter each day has been placed in my path by God. They are there either to help me or for me to help them. Each person is a gift. Each one is a chance to bring a smile to the face of Jesus. Every encounter is an opportunity to show that I live for Christ.
When I fail to be that person, those people might move closer to doubt—or worse. But when I do my part, they might be encouraged to move closer to Heaven, to Christ.
Would you follow a sad, complaining person who claims to follow Jesus? Probably not. Would you trust someone who drinks too much, cheats, or is unfaithful—but wears a cross? No. Hypocrisy harms the people around us. But faithfulness helps them. God loves faithfulness and hates hypocrisy.
So here’s my advice to Christians:
If the world doesn’t know you’re a Christian, you’re doing it wrong.
If your friends don’t call you first when tragedy strikes to ask for prayers, you’re doing it wrong.
If people act differently around you because they don’t want to offend your beliefs—then you’re doing it right.
There should be no doubt where Christians stand. So smile, and let the light of Christ shine through you.
The musings of Peter 