I was sad to see today that Sarah Young, the author of “Jesus Calling” and “Jesus Always” passed away. Chronic illnesses forced her to stay in her room and during that time she started to practice “listening prayer” and journaling what she felt the Spirit tell her. A few pages from her journal found their way to a women’s prayer group in Nashville in the early 2000s. One of the women shared them with her husband, who was vice president of marketing at Integrity Publishers, and Integrity asked Young if she could write one message from God to the reader for every day of the year. She agreed, and they published Jesus Calling in 2004.Her devotional “Jesus Calling” has sold over 45 million copies since then. Imagine the words that you pen being read by that many people. No telling how many times I have picked up that devotional and felt as though God was speaking directly to me.
My September 4th devotion in Tim Tebow’s “Mission Possible” book, had the title, “Is Your Life an Invitation?” It really made me stop and think. He wrote: “Think about your character for a moment. The way you treat people. What you do when no one is looking. Are you quick to forgive? Do you love and serve only people who can do something for you in return? As you live each day, may your actions, speech, and character be invitations that welcome others into the arms of Christ.”
I know I have some work to do. I need to be more intentional in my actions so others can see Jesus in me. As I wrote those words the hymn “Let Others See Jesus in You” came to mind. Below are the first 2 verses.
1 While passing through this world of sin,
And others your life shall view,
Be clean and pure without, within,
Let others see Jesus in you.
Chorus:
Let others see Jesus in you,
Let others see Jesus in you;
Keep telling the story, be faithful and true,
Let others see Jesus in you.
2 Your life’s a book before their eyes,
They’re reading it through and through;
Say, does it point them to the skies,
Do others see Jesus in you?
We have work to do. I invite you to be an invitation to someone everyday!
Shine, Shine, Shine!
Tina