...And they will know we are _____________ by our _____________

Went to Wal-Mart last week. Went to get stuff to organize my office more efficiently. While I was looking in the school/office supply section, a dear elderly lady asked me a rather simple question, "Do you work here?"

I was taken back somewhat and then kindly responded, "No ma'am, I don't. I'm sorry." My thoughts about that brief incident revolve somehow around the following idea: it should be easy to identify who works at Wal-Mart (or any other place).

I assume that the manager(s) of our local Wal-Mart expect certain things of its employees. They need them to be visible. This is very likely why Wal-Mart employees wear those easily-identifiable blue vests (some higher-ups wear red I think). Additionally, I would guess that Wal-Mart employees need to know what they are doing. A health and beauty aids associate needs to know about the products in her section. A sporting goods associate needs to be familiar with the items in his section. Third, I would think it's a requirement that employees be present. When consumers need assistance, they need to be able to easily find the counsel of a paid employee (as in office supplies). Finally, employees probably need to use all of the above to offer true helpfulness in a given situation. They can do price checks; they can make recommendations based on the needs of the consumer; they can expound upon the different qualities of products under consideration; they can locate hard-to-find products.

Wal-Mart aside, aren't certain things expected of us as workers in the Vineyard of the Lord? Don't we need to be visible? I would feel horrible about my spiritual condition if someone asked me, "Are you a Christian?" God expects for us to be known as His followers (1 Thess. 1:2-7, et al.) . We don't have to wear distinguishing apparel (although our apparel should reflect Christ) to let our lights shine so that others see our Father (Matt. 5:16). Secondly, like Wal-Mart employees, we need to know about our "product." (Our mission is far too serious to casually call it a "product," but it's for sake of application.) Jesus said we would be recognizable as His disciples by our love for one another (Jn. 13:35). That means we need to do things in a loving manner. However, it also means that we need to know what people need: the gospel. Simply sharing feelings of love isn't sharing true love. We must know the depths of God's word (Heb. 5:12-14); we must be capable of answering questions to our faith (1 Pet. 3:15). Thirdly, we need to be present to those in need. Jesus left His disciples in the world (including us) precisely so that we can reach the world in need (Jn. 17:15-18). Finally, we as Christians need to do what it takes to offer to the world what it needs the most: Christ. In spite of obstacles that could stand in the way; in spite of fear of failure; in spite of rejection; in spite of __________ we need to be selling the good news of Christ. We need to show how precious salvation is a free gift; we also need to emphasize the high cost of discipleship that comes with accepting that gift.

May God bless us all to seize every opportunity to explain who we work for.