Evidence

JOHN HORSLEY

Over the last several weeks I was able to break away and spend time on the Bighorn Mountains. The elk are in full rut and signs of their presence and purposes appear everywhere. I posted a few pictures of this evidence: a tree rubbed hard by the horns of a bull elk, an elk waller where a bull elk had covered himself in mud, and the familiar talking of a bull and cow as they walked in the forest. 

These signs show us that elk are present and they are not something else, like a moose or a deer. Only elk will leaves this evidence and it got me thinking about people who call themselves Christian. Do we leave signs for others to see? Does the rest of the world run into the signs that a Christian has been here? More personally, do I leave evidence as I walk in this world, that Jesus Christ is Lord of my heart, mind, and soul? 

An elk is not worried about what he/ she leaves behind, they are just doing what comes naturally. As a Christian who walks with the presence of the Holy Spirit, is what I do a natural outpouring of being a follower of Jesus? 

What are the characteristics of a true believer? The holy scriptures give us a clue. In Galatians, Paul contrasted unbelievers with believers. These are his words: (Galatians 5:19-23 ESV) "Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

Will you pray with me? Lord Jesus, as I walk on this earth , please help me to leave signs of being one of your followers. Help me to always be sensitive to your Holy Spirit and leave evidence of your fruits along my path so others will know you make a difference in our lives.