Three Changed Lives

“’No wonder Christians are so humble,’ pondered aloud our international student friend. Knowing very little about the Bible, she had been joining Peggy and me weekly to learn about God and His gracious work in a fallen humanity. As the gospel sunk in a little bit deeper one evening, our friend made the connection—receiving everything while deserving nothing is indeed a very humbling thing.”

Since I first posted this story on October 28, 2020, our friend has become a believer in Christ Jesus. And just as she had observed a genuine humility among Christians, her parents have noticed her newfound peace.

Another young student we know placed her trust in Jesus in the past few years, and now she also testifies to a greater and growing peace. When her mother came from their home country for an extended visit, she was amazed by the love in her daughter’s Christian friends. “Extending love with no expectation of anything in return,” as she put it, has been new to her and profound, something she continues to process.

Then let me also share about a young man who was an atheist upon arriving in the US to further his education. After years of participating in weekly Bible study, he also became a believer in Jesus Christ. “God is where the joy is,” he fondly proclaims. It shows; he glows.

What do all three of these young adults share in common? Raised in places in the world that oppress Christianity to varying degrees, they came to this country with few, if any, preconceived notions of Christians—they could see believers for who they are. Second, all three were drawn to Christ Jesus by the power of the Word and through the wonder of changed lives—people alive in Christ, exuding humility, peace, joy, and genuine love. In turn, those closest to these newer believers are seeing real change in them, the kind of change that draws people to its source—new life through faith in Jesus Christ.

Jesus once taught, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”¹ Two millennia later, this still happens. So let the Spirit fill you and guide your thoughts, words, and deeds today. You will shine, the world will notice, the Father will be glorified. We have this promise.

Father, how humbling the thought that You change the world through Your people. As Your light shone through others to us, so shine it through us to others. Be glorified. In Christ we pray. Amen.

¹ Matthew 5:14-16