Be Relevant

Learning and growing is something that is always part of our lives. This year, in particular, has been a significant season of learning and growth. Starting my new role as a Chaplain Candidate with the Oklahoma National Guard has given me many of these opportunities. I get to be around a great group of individuals who share a strong drive to reach soldiers with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. One of these individuals is Chaplain Jordan who shared some wisdom with me that I think applies to every believer. We talked about how a chaplain interacts with leadership and the soldiers in their unit. Chaplain Jordan said, “The worst thing I could ever say about a chaplain is that they are irrelevant.” A chaplain cannot be hidden away in their office while those they are called to minister to are out in the rain.

This is not only great wisdom for a chaplain but also essential for all of us who are called to bear witness to what Christ has done. As followers of Jesus Christ, we must be relevant in our neighbors’ lives. In Matthew 22:37-40, Jesus teaches that there are two great commandments that sum up the Law and the Prophets. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” The second, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Because we love God with all that we are, we share that love with our neighbors, coworkers, and the barista you see every morning as you grab coffee. I think we need to be relevant in their lives by showing Christ-like kindness and love to them. Being relevant does require us to get out of our comfort zones. It may mean inviting people to dinner, helping a neighbor with yard work, or being gracious when the barista makes your coffee wrong. People notice these things, and when they are going through a difficult situation, they will think of the person who has been relevant in their lives with the love of Christ.