For I am not ashamed of the gospel…Romans 1:16

Have you ever had a time in your life where you were ashamed or uncomfortable with your faith?  I can remember more than a few times during my youth where my faith in Christ made things uncomfortable for me.  I was only 18 when I spent my first summer before going off to college working construction.  The plant where I worked was as anti Christian environment as they come.  Most of the guys I worked with would go straight from work to the bar.  I didn’t drink, smoke, or cuss so I stuck out like a sore thumb.  In fact, I took my Bible with me to work and would read it during our breaks.  One of the guys made it his personal mission to make sure I had a hard time because I was a Christian.  He nicknamed me “the Apostle” and tried the best he could to humiliate me because of my faith.  Even though I never wavered in my convictions there were certainly times where I wished that I could become invisible. 
Have you ever been there?  I know you have felt the tension that exists between living in the world and following Jesus Christ.  That is why Peter calls us “aliens and strangers” (1 Peter 2:11).  When we become disciples of Jesus Christ we are no longer of this world.  This transformation can be very challenging at times as we face certain temptations and obstacles to our convictions.  We need to remind one another that living with the love and peace of God in our hearts is nothing to be ashamed of.  In fact, God wants us to “shine” that light not hide it (Matthew 5:16).  You don’t have to beat someone over the head with your faith, but let Christ be seen in you as real and transparent.  Be confident in knowing God is who you serve.  

My summer did serve a purpose.  One of my coworkers was arrested for a DWI.  He realized that he needed to make a change.  He got into a Bible study with the minister at my church and was baptized.  Later, he told me that he saw the way that I stood up for my faith while others teased and harassed me.  It had given him courage to do what was right and make the most important decision of his life, follow Jesus.