Serving Bread

(This devotional series is inspired by seven quotes attributed to Henrietta Mears. Her life inspired a generation of men and women to let Scripture speak directly to their hearts for the sake of seeing the world transformed.)

You teach a little by what you say. You teach most by what you are.

Implication: We can spend so much of our energy to teach people by our words that we forget that people will look at how we live our lives. Our values will flow by our being, not just our speaking and doing.

Reflection: It’s a lot easier to just tell people how to live their lives. I can draft sermons and Bible Studies and devotionals for the sake of impact. I want people to grow closer to God through my work and investment in ministry.

But it’s also true that many people have learned most by watching how I carry my life. When people testify and affirm me, they usually point to how I lead my life rather than what I have taught. My ministry must come out of my being. If I were to teach by what I am, I have to remember what and who I am: I am the son of royalty; I am empowered by the living God for ministry; Jesus loves me and he wants his love to overflow from me.

To focus all of my energy on ministry skills and preparation with no regard to meditating on who I am, I will do very little by way of influence. Henrietta Mears is right, I teach most by what I am.

Application: Organize and schedule monthly retreats and quarterly getaways to keep my attention focused on who I am.