What Story Are You Telling?
Life Lessons Learned
There’s a simple yet piercing poem that has followed me through many years of ministry, and it still makes me pause every time I hear it:
“You are writing a Gospel, a chapter every day,
By the things that you do and the words that you say.
Men read what you write—distorted or true,
What is the Gospel, according to you?”
I don’t know who first penned those lines, but they ring with such clarity that I often reflect on them as I go about my daily life. The truth is, each of us is living a message—an embodied Gospel that people around us are reading whether we realize it or not. The question that haunts and inspires me is: What is the Gospel, according to me?
Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 3:2-3, “You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. You show that you are a letter from Christ…”. That verse isn’t just a metaphor; it’s a reality. The people in our lives who may never set foot inside a church still encounter the church through us—through our words, our actions, and even our silences.
I’ve seen how easy it is to write a distorted Gospel. It doesn’t take much. An unkind word spoken in frustration, a critical spirit that leaks negativity, or an off-color joke that betrays our supposed convictions—all of these can obscure the clarity of the message we’re meant to live out. Each of these moments, though seemingly small, can leave a lasting negative impression on someone who’s watching us to catch a glimpse of Jesus.
Conversely, I’ve also seen the Spirit work through the simplest acts of grace. An unexpected kindness, a gentle touch of empathy, or a carefully restrained tongue can spark curiosity in a watching soul. They may not understand the theology behind our actions, but they notice the character. And sometimes, that character whispers of a Savior they don’t yet know but might want to meet.
I remember a neighbor years ago who, by all appearances, wanted nothing to do with faith. We shared a fence line, but little more. Over time, small gestures of help—shoveling a walkway, sharing produce from the garden, asking about his health—opened doors. One afternoon, he surprised me by asking, “Why do you do this stuff? Most people keep to themselves.” It wasn’t a grand sermon that stirred his heart, but consistent kindness. That was the Gospel he read, and it planted a seed.
Jesus said in Matthew 5:16, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Our good deeds are not for our glory but His. They are markers that point beyond ourselves to the One who has transformed us.
I sometimes ask myself, “If someone knew nothing of Jesus but watched me for a week, what would they conclude about the Gospel?” That is a sobering reflection. Would they see grace or judgment? Humility or pride? Love or indifference? Every interaction becomes a brushstroke on the canvas of the Gospel I am portraying.
The Apostle Peter offers further guidance in 1 Peter 2:12: “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” Our lives can be apologetics in action, a living defense of the faith we proclaim.
We can’t control every perception others have of us. But we can control our posture, our words, and our actions. And when we fail—because we all do—there is power in confession and humility. A simple apology can also communicate the Gospel: that we are people under grace, ever learning and growing.
This is especially important in an age where so many view the church with suspicion or outright hostility. People are watching to see if what we say aligns with how we live. Our lives can either validate the Good News or call it into question.
I encourage you to think about the places where your life writes the Gospel—in your family, at your workplace, in your neighborhood. What story are you telling? What seeds are you planting? Perhaps it starts with the words you choose, the patience you show, or the compassion you extend to someone society has written off.
And let’s not forget the importance of presence. Sometimes just showing up, being there in the hard times of someone else’s life, speaks louder than any sermon. We embody the Gospel when we mourn with those who mourn, rejoice with those who rejoice, and stand with the weary and brokenhearted.
In all of this, we must continually ask the Holy Spirit for help. He is the one who shapes us, who conforms us to the image of Christ. Without His work within us, our best efforts would still fall short. But with His help, our lives can indeed become living letters of Christ.
So, what is the Gospel according to you? Take time today to reflect. And as you do, invite the Lord to refine your witness, to make you more attuned to the opportunities around you to reflect His love and truth.
Blessing:
Thank you for walking with me through this life lesson. Your desire to reflect the heart of Christ in everyday life is a testimony in itself. May the Lord grant you wisdom, patience, and grace as you write your chapter of the Gospel each day. May the people who read your life see not just you, but Jesus in you—and may that reading lead them closer to the Savior.
For more reflections on living out the Gospel in everyday life, visit: https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/what-does-it-mean-to-be-an-ambassador-of-christ.html
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