Against the Flow

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise. _{Ephesians 5:15}

Do you ever wonder how others perceive you? I know that some really worry about what people think of them, which can often come down to a lack of self-confidence. There is a need to be liked, and we also like to be needed. But needing to be liked can often lead us to behave in ways that are not true to who we are.

I have heard it said that – it doesn’t matter what other people think, it only matters what God thinks – and in certain ways that’s true. In our daily living though, it does matter what others see. Do they see a child of God? Does the talk and the walk match up?

Look carefully then how you walk – we are to walk in wisdom toward outsiders (Col4:5), because we are a reflection of Christ. Are we doing Him justice? Are we walking humbly before our God? We are to be imitators of God and we are to walk in the light, as he is in the light (1John1:7). Our aim is not to fit in and go with the flow but to stand up and stand strong, knowing who we are in Christ. This is walking in wisdom.

Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. _{Ephesians 5:2}

Walk carefully, walk wisely, and walk in love, for we are the aroma of Christ to God ^{2 Cor 2:15}, and as we walk, we spread the beautiful fragrance of him with every step.