Something's wrong with Harry

A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance.    — Proverbs 15:13

Every morning Harry, a Christian, walked into his office singing a song from Rodgers' and Hammerstein’s musical Oklahoma: “Oh what a beautiful morning; oh what a beautiful day! I’ve got a beautiful feeling, everything’s going my way!”

But one morning, he forgot to sing. Harry soon noticed that something was wrong at the office; everyone around him seemed on edge. When he finally asked a co-worker what was wrong, she replied, “You didn’t sing this morning, and we thought you were upset!”

Harry had become known for such a cheerful, positive spirit that his co-workers were sure something was wrong with him that morning. Harry hadn’t realized how closely people were watching him, and he resolved from then on always to come to work singing.

First Peter 2 reminds us that people are observing our lives (vv. 11-12). To be good representatives of Jesus Christ, Peter teaches that we’re to be submissive to authority, to live an honorable life, to do good works, to honor all people, and to fear God (vv. 12-17).

The testimony of our lives can give us opportunities to share the good news of Jesus. So we might want to ask ourselves, “What do people see in me?”       — Anne Cetas

Help me to sing a joyful song

For those bowed down with care,

A song of hope and freedom

For those in dark despair. — Andrews

READ: 1 Peter 2:9-17

Do others see Jesus in you?

The Bible in one year:

• Leviticus 6-7

• Matthew 25:1-30