I once decided to pay a visit to a friend of mine. I prayed to the Lord before leaving. On my way, I came across a group of children teasing a mentally ill man whom I had never met.
Suddenly he stopped joking with them, stared at me, and shouted with a thunder-like voice: “See! Jesus is coming! Jesus is coming!”
I suddenly felt some heat under my shirt, yet it was December in Burkina Faso where the weather is nice. Sweat started running down my face. I was so scared that I almost took to my heels.
But it would have been disgraceful to run away.
The kids might laugh at me. So I decided to keep advancing, no matter what happened. The mad man kept shouting, “Jesus is coming! Jesus is coming!” I boldly passed by him, not daring to look at his strange face.
He went on repeating the same words until I was far away. At that time, I did not have a deep understanding about my identity in Christ, hence my great fear.
Like a flashlight turning on, the words of Jesus in John 17:23 and Luke 4:34 came to my mind. My fear turned into a tremendous joy and confidence!
Now I understand clearly that the Father, Son, and Spirit are in me. What a privilege to have them all in me! Since then, I know that I am not alone.
As co-laborers for the Kingdom, we should display godly character in whatever we say or do. Are we not created in His likeness?
Our partners, the children we serve, and all those we come across should see Jesus Christ in us. We should know our identity and manifest the life of the one who abides in us. Let us make the difference, for we have been set aside for God! Lord God, help us be like you!
I in them and you in me — so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. —John 17:23, NIV
Prayer: Lord, help us display Your character. Mold us in Your image and let the world see You through our lives. In Jesus’ name, amen!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Abdoulaye Diallo is a Curriculum Specialist for Compassion Burkina Faso.
Read all the One in Spirit devotionals.