Presentation matters. 

“Are you going to wear that all day?”

“The curlers and slippers, yes,” I responded, “but I have dress slacks and a nice blouse underneath this bathrobe.” Discarding the robe while keeping the rest, I asked if anyone could guess our next team tip. After some clamoring, including teasing about my state of mind, and thanking me for not wearing face cream, someone finally guessed.

“The way we present ourselves makes a difference?”

“That is correct. We will call this tip, ‘Presentation Matters.’”

Presentation Matters was the focus for the day as we led our shoppers through their boutique. Whether we served a homeless person, a single parent of five, or a recently freed convict on work release, our team made sure to show the shoppers they mattered.

The following Saturday, I noticed our team had discarded the holy jeans and stained shirts (whew!) to dress professionally. Some of the ladies even wore high heels. I tried to join them, borrowing heels from the boutique, but my klutziness won over, so I ditched the heels and returned to flats. My team told me if I promised not to wear curlers ever again, they would remember that presentation matters.

Presentation matters. May I insert an “our” in front of this? Our presentation matters. Jesus demonstrated this for us when He went out of His way to call Zacchaeus down from a sycamore tree to arrange a dinner (see Luke 19:1-10) and again to meet a Samaritan woman to invite her to receive the living water found only in Him (see John 4:7-42) and yet again when He met Peter post-resurrection to extend to him much-needed forgiveness.

Whether Jesus presented Himself to a believer who had lost his way, a sinner who was entangled, or a disciple who had erred, He showed love as His chief characteristic. Those whom He spoke to could readily see His majesty—but it went further than His appearance. They recognized the Spirit within Him. We must do the same.

Friend, our presentation of Christ matters most. In fact, it’s why we are here. Our best occurs when the Holy Spirit within us shines like a beacon. Luke records our job description, and Jesus’ in the Lord’s own words, recorded in the sacred text:

The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.

~Luke 4:18-19 NKJV

The Spirit within us is the only transformational power we can offer to this hurting, broken world. Our presentation of Christ starts in us when we permit the Spirit of the LORD to love each person through us. Our Savior is counting on us to continue what He began.

Do people see Christ in how you present yourself?

Lord Jesus, tuck Your Holy Spirit deep within my soul, so I can successfully present You to every person. Help me to show them their value and that You love them. Amen.

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2021: Presentation Matters: Diane Virginia: All Rights Reserved

Published: March 2022: Christian Broadcasting Network: Senior Producer Beth Patch

Published: July 2021: Christian Devotions Ministries: Managing Editor Martin Wiles; Executive Editor Cindy Sproles