As the week comes to an end, my wife and I agree not to invite anybody. This weekend we’ll have a relaxing family weekend, and load our batteries. But by late afternoon Friday, we’re having withdrawal symptoms and start looking around for a good get-together or a braai at home or with friends. Or the rugby fans will meet up somewhere in town to support our teams.

Now it is another Monday after such a weekend. It was a good weekend and the other people energised me to face the challenges of the week ahead.

So why am I telling you about my fun weekend? Because Paul tells us how he acted with his friends, and I’m wondering whether the same can be said of me? Paul said: ⁵You paid careful attention to the way we lived among you…

Well, I don’t think we’re expected to grab others by the throat and demand to know whether they have a relationship with God. However, we do have to act in such a way that we do not hinder God’s message of salvation. Will people who are not saved be attracted to God if they see you and me with our friends during weekends? Does our conduct among our friends make strangers wonder what we are so excited about that they would also want to hear God’s message of salvation?

I wish I could shout out loud, yes! Have you ever acted in a way that makes you wonder whether you are attracting people to God or repulsing them?

Let’s be straight with one another – it’s not always that easy. But that’s no reason not to try. Like Paul, we have to set the right example, always. We have to live passionately like a child of God, in the world out there too. There are so many people still in darkness needing the light of God.

I hope that the following will become true of our lives: ⁶_…and determined to live that way yourselves. In imitating us, you imitated the Master.

What an amazing privilege to lead others to Christ! Even if we prevent one person only from going over the edge. Every time heaven celebrates another lost sheep returning.

I would like to share with you something from our ministry that brought tears to my eyes. We received the following WhatsApp message:

Good evening. A friend forwarded one of your messages to me today. I am going through a terrible time at the moment and wanted to take my own life. The message stopped me from doing so.

By God’s amazing grace we could help someone. All glory to God!

Scripture

1 Thessalonians 1:1-6

Reflection

What does your example look like?

Have others changed direction as a result of the way you do things?

Where must and can you do things differently?

Prayer

Father, how often will we make wrong choices that will make others lose the way? Holy Spirit, please help us to live in such a way that will make others get to know You better. May the world look different when we pass by, not because we’re so incredible, but because You work in us. Amen.