The Mark of a Follower (Part 1)
by Maxie Kamalski
“Are you a Christian?” wondered the woman who was sitting next to me on our flight home. Her query caught me a bit off-guard, I politely replied “Yes,” wondering what made her ask me this. As she pointed to my wrist, where I have had a small Ichthys tattoo for many years, she tells me that she is Christian also. We continue to chat and exchange stories but her question stuck in the back of my mind for several reasons, unable to be easily dismissed.
Her inquiry took me back to the reason why I got the tattoo in the first place. I began to think about what in my life is a reflection of Jesus that would prompt someone to ask me if I am a follower of Christ. How do I live my life to show others that I love Jesus? Do I love my neighbor as I love myself? Do I care for others unconditionally like Jesus would? Do my words reflect His kindness and graciousness? Do I choose to act in an unselfish manner, putting God and others first?
As these questions rattle around my head, I have be honest – I don’t know if I have the answers for them right now. I don’t know if my life reflects Jesus. Sometimes it does, and other times it doesn’t. But I am thankful that Jesus is patient with me and shows me where I need to choose differently. I chose to be a follower of Jesus and as such, I am called to live by a different way. I need to challenge my selfishness daily, and extend my kindness to my enemies. I need to live humbly, with simplicity, and find ways to show compassion and care to others. In the end, does it matter if they acknowledge my “following of Jesus?” I actually think not. What matters is that I live in a manner worthy of the gospel, as Paul concludes in his letter to the Philippians.
“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, whether I come and see you or am absent...” (Philippians 1:27).