Show Me�"Don’t Tell Me
"And then he [Jesus] told them, 'Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.'"1
I have often felt that much of my education taught me how to make a living but not how to live. That I have had to learn the hard way ... and am still learning how to do that.
Still, I did learn many valuable lessons. One that I have never forgotten was from my journalism professor in college. Time and again in bold red letters he would write on my written papers, "Show me. Don't tell me!"
He meant it to apply to my writing by illustrating important points with stories, which, of course, was the way that Jesus often taught. (“He spoke to them in parables and the common people heard him gladly.”)
I like to apply the "show me�"don't tell me" teaching not only to my writing, but also to my life, to my teaching, and especially to my family life and to my witnessing for Christ. In other words, one of the greatest ways we can teach and witness for Christ is to model true Christianity and what we are seeking to teach others. Until we do this, our words won't carry much weight.
Like St. Francis of Assisi said, "Preach the gospel always. If necessary, use words."
And as another said:
"The living truth I long to see,
I cannot live on what used to be,
so close your Bible and show me how
the Christ you talk about is living now."
Remember too that, "To win some we need to be winsome."
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to live the Christian life so that others, seeing You in me and what You have done for me, will want You in their life for themselves. Let my life be a reflection of Your love and a living testimony for You. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's name, amen."
1. Mark 16:15 (NLT).
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