Not long ago I received an e-mail from a Biola student saying he wanted to reconnect me with an old friend of mine. As it turns out, my old friend is now my student’s pastor. I’d not seen my friend in more than 30 years. Our e-mail reunion resulted in an invitation to their church, followed by lunch. But what happened thereafter both humbled and blessed me beyond description.

At the opening of the church service, the pastor, my long ago friend, introduced me as the woman who brought him to the Lord and then further inspired his walk. He followed that sentiment with a personal discourse of gratitude over lunch.

It’s true that we had worked together at Hume Lake Christian Camps, on staff at a local church and for Youth for Christ. I remember talking to him and praying with him when he attended youth group at the time. During our lunch-time reunion that day, he thanked me for being faithful to the Lord by speaking truth into his life.

His wife thanked me for the same –– she now has a godly husband who has served several congregations, and together they have raised godly sons. The scope of his ministry has been great and they thanked me for launching him and encouraging him in the faith. But as I recall, we both had encouraged each other spiritually. I never realized that my walk with the Lord had been so intently observed.

The impact of this encounter 30-something years later brought me to my knees. None of us really realize the potential impact we have on others, nor where God will take people after they have seen Jesus in our lives.

People watching our lives

I’m humbled to think of how people might be watching my life. Generally, people walk through life conscious only of themselves in that moment or their own future. But rarely are any of us cognizant of the fact that people are truly watching. Onlookers may ask, “What does a Christian look like? How do they behave? Do they really live out what they say they believe?”

Scripture tells us to walk circumspectly, to be aware that, as Hebrews says, “there is a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us.” Although this means those who have gone on before, it also serves as a good reminder that children watch how grown-ups behave, adolescents keep an eye on their heroes, and we even look to our peers for guidance. More than anything on earth, I want my epitaph to read, “She walked with God,” as was said of Enoch in Genesis.

Living to show Jesus

There is a lot at stake, not only within my own life and in the consequences of my choices, but in my influence. I carry the name of Jesus wherever I go. James 3:1 reminds us that the teachers are judged more strictly. I believe that is because lives are touched daily in classrooms around the world, and influenced for good or evil. For Christians in the pulpit, in the classroom or just out in the world, the eternal question remains: Will they see Jesus in us?

Marla Campbell, Ph.D., teaches in the Cook School of Intercultural Studies after spending five years in the department of education.