I listened to a recent interview of comedian Dave Smith by Hotep Jesus. The topic of religion came up and we got to hear a fascinating story by Dave. He says he used to be a militant atheist. What started to change was his realization that "a largely disproportionate amount of the best people I had ever met were Christians."
What an awesome example of how living a Godly life can have an impact on people in ways we wouldn't expect.
Dave then continues to discuss the birth of his daughter. If you're a parent (especially a father) you'll know exactly how Dave felt. At one point there was a feeling of complete helplessness and he spontaneously spoke to God and he "immediately knew what God wanted from me." Afterwards, he said he just couldn't shake that feeling that something was so deep inside of him that just came out from seemingly nowhere. Then Hotep Jesus said "you don't believe in God, you experience it."
Dave's testimony (of sorts) really stuck with me this past week. I don't think Dave refers to himself as a Christian, but there's something at work within him. Dave's experience of something coming from deep within him reminds me of this verse:
"For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse." (Romans 1:20)
Often, I find myself wondering how I can be a testimony to others. I'm not a super outgoing person. I mostly travel to work/home/church. It doesn't seem like I have many opportunities available to me. However, the most obvious way (but not the easiest) is to be that example yourself by living a Godly life. Matthew 5:16 reads, "...let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." People are watching whether you realize it or not. This is especially true of children.
Think back to the most respected person in your life. Chances are this person was a genuinely kind and loving person. It's never too late to begin emulating this person yourself. Let's be that example that makes people (like Dave Smith) realize there's something unique within us.
I was just watching Tucker's interview of Dave, and Dave mentioned coming to God more recently in life (although I don't remember his exact wording so maybe that's a distortion of what he said.) It certainly made me curious about his religion, though. You wouldn't happen to know anything more about Dave's religious views than you did when you posted this, would you?