As I waited in the doctor’s office, a young boy barged in and slammed the door. The receptionist, visible through the open window to the office, said, “Hi, Buddy. How was your day?”

Been with the World

The boy rolled his eyes. “Fine. Why do you ask me that every day? What’s to eat?”

With a red face, the secretary buzzed her son through to the back. She noticed me watching and shrugged. “He’s always hungry when the bus drops him off here. It makes him a little cranky. He’s normally nicer. I think the kids on the bus are a bad influence. But what can I do?” She shrugged again and closed the window.

The boy’s face matched his words. I thought of my own countenance. How does my face look when I am among others? Do I look as if I’ve been with the world or with Jesus?

~As Moses descended from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the testimony in his hands as he descended the mountain, he did not realize that the skin of his face shone as a result of his speaking with the Lord.

Exodus 34:29 CSB

Been with Jesus

Spending time with Jesus shows on my face. Having spent time with God, Moses’s whole face shone with the glory of the Lord. He looked as if he had been with Jesus. The boy’s face, however, looked like his companions’. I thought of myself. How often does my face look as if I’ve spent time with Jesus? Do I allow outside influences, such as people, television, and social media, to mark my countenance? Instead of more makeup, I need more Jesus. 

When they observed the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated men, they were amazed and recognized that they had been with Jesus.

~Acts 4:13 CSB

Spending time with Jesus shows in the way we act. Peter and John were uneducated, but they acted and spoke differently. Time with the Lord was evident in the way they behaved and what they said. Likewise, the young boy acted like the rowdy kids on the bus. His speech mirrored the things he heard. Do my own behaviors reflect the time I spend with God? Will people on the street see me and know that something is different about me? Can they see Jesus through the words I share?

As I grow in a relationship with Christ, I desire more of Him and less of me. The world seeks to derail my testimony. Let’s reflect God’s love to others as we go.

How’s your countenance today? Have you remembered to put on Jesus?

Dear Lord, thank You for the time spent in Your presence. Help me to remember that what I say and do shows on my face and reflects upon You. 

 

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2025: Been with Jesus: Sharon Davis: All Rights Reserved.