Signs and Stickers

Bible Reading: Galatians 5:22-25

“I. got a V!” Marley yelled as a van with a bumper sticker on the back passed their car. “See—that bumper sticker says, ‘Visualize world peace.’” She crossed the letter V off her

sheet of paper. On vacation with their dad, Marley and her brother, Gabe, were playing a

game to see who could be the first to find signs and bumper stickers that started with each letter of the alphabet.

As Gabe glanced at the van, its driver angrily blasted his horn at another driver who had pulled in front of him. “He sure isn’t acting very peaceful,” observed Gabe. A little later, they stopped at a country store. “Service with a smile,” Gabe read

on a sign in the window. “That’s an S for me.” But they had to wait a long time for service, and then the attendant did a lot of grumbling about the heat. “He forgot to smile,” Gabe said as they drove away.

As they ate lunch, they talked about their trip and the things they had seen. “What are some things you’ve learned on our trip?” asked Dad.

“Well, one thing is that you can say one thing and do something completely different,” said Gabe. “We’ve seen lots of signs and bumper stickers that say one thing, but then the people who put them there don’t live by them.”

“That’s a good point,” said Dad. “And it’s something we all need to remember— especially Christians.”

“You mean, because the Bible says people should be able to tell we’re Christians by the way we love each other?” asked Marley.

Dad nodded. “When we say we’re Christians, our actions need to reflect our words. Of course, we all make mistakes and fail to live up to the things we say, just like the people we saw today who didn’t do what their sign or sticker said they would. When that happens, we need to ask Jesus to forgive us and trust Him to help us live out the words we say.”

After lunch, they got back on the road. “Thanks for taking us on this trip, Dad,” said Marley.

“Yeah,” Gabe said, grinning. “You’re living out the words on that mug we got you that says, ‘Best dad ever.’” • Jan L. Hansen

How About You?

Do you tell others that you’re a Christian? Do you live out those words by showing them the love of Jesus? Read through the fruit of the Spirit listed in today’s Bible reading. If you know Jesus as your Savior, these are the characteristics you will display as you allow the Holy Spirit to work in your life. Trust Him to help you put your words into action and point others to Jesus.

Today’s Key Verse:
John 13:35 [Jesus said,] “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Today’s Key Thought:

Live what you say