By Rick Mautz
There are people who are rejecting a God that doesn’t exist. The God they’re rejecting is one cleverly projected by the enemy of God and man. As Christians, our most important role is to present a clear and true picture of God to the world around us.
When you look in the mirror, you get an almost perfect picture of what you look like because you are seeing your own reflection. That is what God has called us to be, a reflection of His character, made possible only when He lives in us and transforms our actions and attitudes.
So how do we go about doing this reflecting? Do I go door to door, telling people that I am here to reflect God to them? Not likely. What’s needed is a connection with people through natural interactions. We could meet a need, join them in enjoyable activities, or learn together through an educational endeavor.
Health is one of the most natural subjects that meets all of these criteria. Through health programs, cooking schools, and screenings, we can connect with people in a way that few other topics allow. Everyone wants to be healthy.
In the box below are a few suggestions on how to utilize the topic of health not only to connect with people, but to reflect God’s character to a world that may have the wrong picture of who He is. I call this approach “Connect to Reflect.” Our main goal is to reflect His character, but to do this we must connect with people. What is the best way to reflect Him? By doing. By exemplifying what He does.
When we care enough to listen, we reflect a listening, caring God. When we ask questions, we reflect a God who wants people to know that they are important to Him.
When we provide ongoing support by calling people even after the program is over, we reflect the Holy Spirit who is always walking beside us, helping us through our struggles. Sometimes it’s easy to give information, but difficult to listen. Let us practice our listening.
Christ is waiting for a people who will give a clear reflection of His character to their world. Do we care enough to learn the skills that reflect Him the most? Take advantage of an online training opportunity at rmcsda.org/support. Remember, I am here to listen to you and support you as you polish your mirror to become a better reflector of the God that is worth imitating.
–Rick Mautz is RMC health director.