Always Reppin'

The NCAA Tournament is winding down with the Final Four this weekend, and almost every game has included at least one team wearing a Nike t-shirt with the slogan “Always Reppin." The players have worn them on the bench or before the game, and each team has their school’s logo underneath the slogan to show they are “Always Reppin’’ the team they play for (and Nike too). That means when a player does something great on or off the floor, the school is represented well...and when the opposite happens, the school is represented poorly.  When it comes to following Jesus, we don’t need a shirt to tell people that we are “Always Reppin” Him in the way we live our lives. But when we decide to put our faith in Him, that’s exactly what happens. We are no longer just representing ourselves, but we are now living for Christ. This can feel like a lot of pressure at times, which is why each day we have to die to our selfishness and focus on Him. The best way for us to represent Jesus is to simply love people and show them compassion. It’s how we reveal we’ve been changed and is the key way people can see Jesus in us. As we follow Jesus, we should begin to see the needs of those around us and let others know we care about them. It’s not about putting on an act or a t-shirt, but as the Bible says in Colossians 3:12 we should "...put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience...” With these words being part of who we are as we follow Jesus, let’s consider putting an emphasis on representing Jesus by being compassionate toward people. Whether it’s a person at work, in public, in our own household, or someone who is down and out, let's show them, Jesus, by showing them compassion. Today, let’s remember that we’re “Always Reppin” Him with the great responsibility to point others to His true character. I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for the privilege of representing Jesus to other people. Forgive me for the times I mislead others by the way I treat them, but please give me a heart of compassion to show them Jesus’ love and his true character. I pray people would see Jesus in me. Help me to be less selfish and see the needs of people around me. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.