...and you will be dragged

before governors and kings

for My sake,

     to bear witness

before them

and the Gentiles.

           Matthew 10. 18

(Whatever is before us

in this day

and wherever we are,

in the most

     unexpected places

--or the most familiar--

why are we here?

To bear witness

among believers

and non-believers alike.

Not just in the big stuff

but in the most ordinary,

not accomplishments

or successes

   but responding

and not reacting.

Even a solitary kind word

changes the conversation.

People are always

watching us

not to see if we are perfect,

but to see that God indeed

   has changed our hearts.

God works through

   His Spirit in us

in profound

       and mighty ways

of which we are

            not aware.)

O LORD,

You have placed us

in the midst of

this broken world

to bring Your name here.

Help us to be aware

   and faithful to You,

even in the hard stuff,

even especially

in the most unexpected,

to bear witness to You.

Use us, O LORD,

to point others to You.

Wherever we are today,

make us aware

of bearing witness

           before others,

in every deed,

word,

and attitude.