I was a 20-year-old college student playing in a city-league softball tournament. I was having a bad game and was becoming more frustrated with myself as each inning passed. In my final at-bat I got out…again. I was so mad that I threw the bat down and yelled in frustration.

Then I remembered that my friends were there, along with their two young sons. I was very close with this family, and the boys were young and impressionable. They were cheering me on and witnessed every bit of my outburst.

Our words and actions have an impact on other people. Sometimes we are irresponsible, saying or doing things with little to no consideration of how we are leading others. Your testimony matters!

Jesus said:

You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:13-16‬ ‭NASB‬‬

Salt adds flavor, can be a preservative, and can be a healing agent. Are your words and actions adding to the spiritual health and eternal well-being of those around you?

Light dispels darkness, allows for good visibility, and produces warmth. Are your words and actions dispelling darkness or are you hiding your light, trying to fit in to a dark world? Are your words and actions allowing others to see Jesus more clearly, or are you muddying the waters even more by your compromises? Are your words the kind that warm the soul of a person toward the love of Jesus?

After that softball game I went straight over to little Brandon and Kyle. I bent down, looked both of them in their eyes, and apologized for my attitude and actions on the ballfield. I told them what I did was not right and asked them to forgive me. And they did. I never forgot that lesson.

This past weekend I attended the baseball game of a couple kids in our church. Now I’m the guy on the outside of the fence, watching these young guys play ball. But I am aware that they’re still watching me.

I pray that we will let the light of Jesus shine brightly through us today. People are watching, and our testimony matters.