If you’ve ever been in a formal training setting, chances are you have joined in on ice-breaker activities. One of my favorite ice-breakers is where each person is given a blank index card and a pen. They are asked to write down two truths and one lie about themselves. During introduction time they state their name, where they are from, how long they have been with the organization and then they read the three things about themselves without revealing which one is false. The others in the class then must guess which one the lie is. Sometimes the entire class will agree on one item and other times I’ve seen it split down the middle. After a show of hands by the class the person reveals which one is the lie.
In one class that I attended, there was a young woman, cute as a button, short with a small frame. She had a very quiet yet professional demeanor about her. On her index card she had written: 1) I have lived in Washington State my entire life; 2) I was once a rodeo queen; and 3) I have sung on stage of the Grand Ole Opry. The class unanimously voted that she had never sung on stage at the Grand Old Opry. In fact, she had sung on that very stage while on a tour. The tour guide was describing the acoustics and said if anyone wanted to go on stage and sing a tune to feel free to go right ahead. And, she did. However, she was never a rodeo queen, nor had she ever even ridden a horse.
I can remember her reading her card as sincere as she could be. She stood there and slightly shook that curly red hair and began reading about herself. I could visualize her with cowboy boots and a hat on galloping around the arena waving the flag only to end up in the middle of the stadium to bring folks to their feet to sing the National Anthem. I was so disappointed to find out it wasn’t true.
People can look sincere all day long and still not be telling the truth. However, it’s very difficult to tell the difference in just 5 minutes with a person. But if you spend enough time with someone the truth will emerge.
In talking to Christians I’d say, we are held to a higher standard by God and by the world around us. We are commanded to preach and teach the truth, which is God himself.
John 14:6 (NIV) 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
As we grow in Christ, we are to share with others what God has taught us. It’s called discipleship. I heard a woman’s testimony just last week. I clung to her every word as she described two people she worked with who were bold Christians. One led her to the Lord and the other one mentored (discipled) her. When asked about her faith, she responded that she had gone to church all her life. The response from her bold Christian friend was, “You need to be saved.” And, he led her down the Roman Road to salvation in Christ. Her other coworker took her to church and began to show her how to study the Word. She grew into a woman who loved Jesus. A few years ago, she ran into her old friend who had discipled her. “Are you teaching yet,” her friend asked. “No,” she replied. “I’m not equipped to teach a Bible study.”
Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV) 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
In the Baptist faith, we call this the great commission. We must recognize what we are commanded to do. And that is to: 1) disciple, 2) lead others to Christ, and 3) teach. And realize that God is with us always, until the world is no more.
We must also recognize that, as women, we have tremendous influence over our spouse and families. If we look back to Genesis and watch Eve influence Adam to take a bite of the apple, we should agree she was a woman of influence.
Genesis 3:6 (NIV) 6 “When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.”
I believe God created that characteristic in us. We can choose to use this influence for good or use it to be manipulative to further our own agenda. The great Baptist preacher, Charles Spurgeon, once said, “Sincerity makes the very least person to be of more value than the most talented hypocrite.” We can see both play out on social media every day.
Which will you choose to be today? Will you be a sincere woman of influence who chooses to live out the great commission? Or will you be a hypocrite using your influence to manipulate things to go your way? Our young people, the next generation, are wandering and searching for truth. Who will join me in helping them find it?
Blessings y’all!!!
Annette Burrell
CHM Contributor
