Recently while listening to my car radio, one phrase caught my ear: “are you a grace-bearer?” That started my wheels spinning. Am I? Do I bear grace to others that I meet? Do I bear grace to those that rub me the wrong way? Do I extend grace as graciously as it has been extended to me?

What else have we been given by God that we can and should bear to others?

Hope-bearer – “…always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you” 1 Peter 3:15

Light-bearer – “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

Forgiveness-bearer — “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32

Witness-bearer — “…And you are my witnesses!…” Isaiah 44:8 “Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak” 2 Corinthians 4:13

Burden-bearer — “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

Truth-bearer – “Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right, for my mouth will utter truth…” Proverbs 8:6-7

Mercy-bearer — “But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.” 1 Timothy 1:16

Now, stop a minute and consider. Do you see the impact you – one person – can have in your own circle of influence? As you bear the image of Christ to those around you – giving hope, shining light, forgiving, being a witness, bearing burdens, sharing truth, having mercy – God can use you – one person to change your corner of the world. Our world is in desperate need of Image-bearers. Will you consciously chose to be one?

Blessings, Diane

Diane Hunt is part of the Development and Addiction Recovery teams at America’s Keswick. In addition to being a Biblical Counselor, she is a Women’s speaker for retreats, conferences and events. She is a regular writer for Victory Call and one of the authors of Crossing the Jordan Bible Study. She has been married to her husband John over 28 years. She has 2 adult children, 4 grandchildren, 3 adult step-children with 7 grandchildren making 10 in all. She delights reading and teaching, but mostly laughing at the funny things her grandchildren say and do.