Show, Don’t Tell

I recently returned from the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference where I enjoyed the comradery of sharing the joys of the written word. I reconnected with old friends, some acquaintances became friends and my wife and I met many new future friends. I was lucky to study under the amazing Zena Dell Lowe who taught about screenplays, the three-act format, and the art of creating powerful visual scenes with words. In her unique exuberant style, she emphasized the importance of “Show, don’t Tell.” Margot Starbuck even passed out teal-blue buttons emblazoned with “Show (don’t tell).” Rowena Kuo looked at an example of my writing and advised me, Show, Don’t Tell. I get it! We all need to paint better pictures with words.

I was sitting in my Monday morning Christian education class and pulled out that blue teal button to show the class. Then a thought came to me. Show, don’t tell. These three words could also apply to our Christian lives. The most effective evangelism comes from personal testimony, but testimony must be backed up with a real and believable example.

Show, don’t tell. When others see us, are we representative of what an upright Christian looks like? What does a good Christian look like?

These are some attributes of Christians I admire that demonstrate “show, don’t tell”.

First, is a life that has been transformed. In the program “The Chosen” Mary Magdalene says, “I was once one way, now I am completely different. What happened between was Jesus.” I love that line.

our second attribute is a servant’s heart. People demonstrate their love of Jesus by serving others. I see many people in the churches I have visited, that help out in multiple ways. We all know them.

A third attribute is a gentle spirit. My late mother never said anything bad about anyone. She had this same gentle spirit and got along with everyone. Many people gravitated towards her, they felt safe around her.

How many people embody these three traits?

Do you show a changed life? A servant’s heart? How about a gentle spirit? Do you show, or do you just tell?

Gord

Zena Dell Lowe: thestorytellersmission.com

Margot Starbuck: MargotStarbuck.com

Rowena Kuo: Rowenakuo.com