Ron Hutchcraft Ministries - Your Clever Disguise

Every year around the first of October, thousands of bow hunters from across the country hit the deer woods hoping to see the big buck they've only dreamed about. Part of what makes their hunt successful is their knowledge of where the deer are going to be and finding a way to get close to them without the deer knowing it. Thus, the need for camouflage.

In many ways, this also describes the way God places believers in the midst of people who are far from God. His desire is for us to be "in the world" but not "of the world." And He places us there so that we can build relationships and trust, which allows us to take people to heaven with us. Sadly many Christians have misunderstood this and have taken themselves almost completely out of any setting where they could be exposed to lost people. But the reality is that a lit candle will only have an impact where there is darkness, not where the room is already full of light.

It's like one lady's story who is an active participant in a mega church. The pastor, who rarely gets to meet everyone because of the thousands who attend, asked Hazel what she does for a living. To which she replied, "Oh, Pastor. I'm a disciple of Jesus Christ, cleverly disguised as a machine operator." Hazel knew exactly who she was and why she was placed by God "in the world."

Did you know that you also have a clever disguise? It isn't God's plan that we walk into work one day with a 50-pound Bible, a Christian t-shirt, and Gospel music CD's hanging out of our backpack. He does want us to lovingly use our influence to shine His light in dark places. And just like the hunter has a purpose in being there, we also must make our presence known as Christ followers, not by letting everyone know what we are against, but by loving people, taking genuine interest in them, and finding ways to be the hands, feet, and mouth of Jesus.

How are you doing with your clever disguise?