The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips and walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable. – Brennan Manning

I heard a sermon series several years ago, created by Andy Stanley, proclaiming Jesus to be irresistible (truth). It’s humanity’s actions, specifically those of believers, that have caused Jesus to appear “resistible” to an unbelieving world.

As I prayed, contemplating the purposes of my light in this world, it was impressed on me:

He didn’t take us captive. He proved Himself captivating. We’re made in His image.

We don’t hold people captive. We Captivate people.

Pictures pour into my mind.

A moth to flame.

A battered spirit feeling seen in a crowd.

A drowning man thrown a life line.

They’ll know we are Christians by our love.

We share. Oh yes, we share. Our truth. Our testimony. We help. We love. We SHINE. They will know we are believers by our light and love. Our authenticity in our love for others, our love for our Christ, Father, and Spirit.

We may be slighted, ridiculed, or ignored. But we know what they’re rejecting and it’s not “us”. Our compassionate responses to each of these slights, even as we feel unseen, unheard, will cause unbelievers to take note. Our continued kindness will confound the wise as we give of our shared Holy Spirit. We have zero expectation of reciprocity, we just love.

When the Spirit finally moves in that heart we’ve been loving so well for so long, our joy isn’t in having our expectations met. Our joy is in the gratitude and sheer awe we experience as we see another heart receive the love they’ve needed and longed for, perhaps for the first time.

No strings attached isn’t a “thing” in this world. Loving unconditionally is captivating because it’s so rare.

Love people well. They’ll know. They’ll want to know. YOUR, OUR Spirit compels theirs.

It’s captivating. Who needs to lay out conditions, barriers to entry, when we live in Love and Light this powerful? Put simply, it’s ours to love well and demonstrate how He’s captivated us. <3. He’ll work out the details.

Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. -Matthew 5:16