Signs

Bible Reading: John 13:35

“Look!” said Trey as he pointed toward the ditch. “Somebody knocked that

stop sign down again.”

Dad pulled to the side of the road and got out of the car. “I wish people would learn to slow down when they come around this corner,” he said.

Trey and Elijah got out too. “What are you going to do?” asked Trey.

“We’ll see if we can put the sign back where it belongs,” replied Dad. “If drivers don’t stop at this corner, there could be a serious accident.” He walked down into the ditch. “Help me carry this back to the road, boys.”

“Okay. We’re right behind you,” said Elijah.

Together the three of them lifted the sign and carried it to the corner. They tried to stand it up against the jagged pole still sticking out of the ground, but it kept falling over. Dad frowned. “Let’s lay it down against the pole,” he said. “That will have to do until the highway department fixes it properly.”

“But when we put it down like this, the word ‘stop’ is sideways,” said Trey. “Won’t it be hard for people to read?”

“Yes,” said Dad, “but drivers will recognize it by its shape and color, not just by what it says.”

“Hey, that’s like what Mr. Pell told us in Sunday school last week,” said Elijah. “He says there are ways people can recognize us as Christians besides just hearing what we say—sort of how people can recognize this sign.”

“They recognize us by our shape and color?” asked Trey with a grin. He knew that wasn’t right.

Elijah laughed. “No, but people can recognize Christians by what they do, as well as by what they say—or sometimes by what they don’t do or say. Mr. Pell says we can’t expect people to know we’re Christians if we lie or cheat or treat others badly.”

“Mr. Pell is right,” said Dad. “People should know we’re Christians by our words, as well as our actions. Everything we say and do should show that we belong to God.” – Eunice C. Matchett

How About You?

Can people recognize you as a Christian by the way you live? It’s great to tell others that you love and follow Jesus, and you should certainly do that. But remember that living your faith is important too. Don’t just tell people you’re a Christian—show them by the way you act and how you treat others.

Today’s Key Verse: James 2:18 I will show you my faith by my works.

Today’s Key Thought:

Let others see Jesus in you