“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”—John 13:35
“See that?” my father gestured toward a tree trunk sharpened like the tip of a pencil, then toward another limb gnawed on both sides.
It sure looked like evidence of beaver building to me. Then Dad led the group of us family members to the water’s edge, its level higher than I had seen in a while. He pointed to the dam.
I took in the scene, my eyes scanning the glassy surface, punctuated with a mound of limbs and leaves, my ears tuned to the relaxing fall of the water. Peace washed over me. A nice reprieve from the busyness of life.
Drawn closer, I stepped to the edge and followed the flow of the stream, my feet crunching dry leaves and crackly twigs. Keeping watch for obstacles that could cause a stumble, I caught glance of a trail of woodchips leading to the chewed remains of a branch. I lowered my eyes to inspect the pile, marveling at the work of the creatures. The evidence was all around; the beavers had built a home. And I was standing in their domicile.
I looked back toward the pond and noticed a large ball resting on the top of the dam. I couldn’t help but smile at the thought of the beavers taking a break from their busyness to play a joyful game of catch.
But another thought also struck me. Do I too leave a trail of evidence of my building? How do others feel when they stand in my presence?
It was clear that the beavers used a foundation of wood to build their home. Is it clear what I have used?
Most of us are familiar with Jesus’ Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders, in which He explains, “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock” (Matthew 7:24).
I strive to build my house on the rock by following Jesus and applying His word, but do others know it? What is the evidence?
Jesus says, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35).
Loving, especially the unlovable, points others to Jesus.
Paul reinforces this in his letter to the Galatians, listing love as the first fruit of the Spirit:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).
Conducting our lives so as to produce these nine fruits of the Spirit is like leaving a woodchip trail of evidence.
Others are watching our actions and listening to our speech.
So let us pray like King David: “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14).
Let us give ourselves wholly to the tasks God has given us, being good stewards of His gifts.
“Practice these things; be committed to them, so that your progress may be evident to all. Pay close attention to your life and your teaching; persevere in these things, for by doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers” (1 Timothy 4:15-16).
Let us do as Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
In all these ways, we leave a trail of evidence that the Lord is our foundation and our home is built on Him. When we are diligent in these matters, others will be drawn to our joy and step a little closer to inspect.
Dear Jesus, You are my rock and my redeemer. Help me in building my life on You, putting into practice what You have taught me in Your word. Help me to love others just as You have loved me. May my life leave a trail of evidence that points to You, so You may gesture and say, “See that? Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23). Amen.