A couple of weeks ago, I attended a multi-level marketing party for an essential oils company. If you know me well, you know I am a sucker for any type of product or subscription that is going to make me feel better, look younger or smaller, eat less, or save me a trip to the grocery store. If you are selling it, I’m most likely buying it! As I listened to this sweet girl share how essential oils have essentially (pun intended) changed her life, the thought hit me...she believes so fully in this product and the change it’s brought, that she had to passionately share it with more people - so we, too, could experience what she has. I had heard of essential oils before - even have friends that use them - but it wasn't until I heard specific, personal stories of the ways they changed her life that I wanted in. Her experiences then inspired other ladies in the party to chime in with their own stories of these life-changing oils. Everywhere I turn on social media, another friend is selling yet another product - one they believe in so much that they can’t possibly be shy about it, willing to risk friends and followers with either invites to another party or 10 posts per day of before and after photos (insert weight loss, eyelash lengths, smooth skin...the list goes on). As a believer, I have the ultimate comfort, rest, healing, restoration, strength, and peace in my relationship with Jesus. Following Him has literally changed my life. I am not the same person that I once was. You see, as a child and young adult I knew ABOUT Jesus - like I nailed it at Vacation Bible School - but I didn't really know Him. It wasn't until someone I trusted shared their personal experience - and further, I saw a real difference in their life - that I knew I needed what they had. In that stage of life, I was paralyzed by insecurity. But through a constant pursuit of knowing Him more, He has shown me who I am in Him and what He created me to do. He has revealed the gifts and talents that He has entrusted to me and shown me how to use them. I am truly a new person. I have been able to accomplish things I never would have even attempted before. With every step of faith, He has proven himself faithful. People who knew me before will tell you that I am different...more wholly me. So why is it that we (I) share the next life-changing product so confidently and boldly, yet we are so shy and timid when it comes to sharing our (my) faith in Jesus? In Acts, we see a man paralyzed from birth ask Peter and John for money. Instead of money, they offered him what they had: Jesus. The man was healed. Everyone who knew the man in his disability were amazed by his healing. When Peter and John were questioned about sharing their faith, they responded not with an apology or timidity; instead, they passionately proclaimed what they knew to be true. Acts 4:13 says “The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.” Ordinary men. No special training. Had been with Jesus. If you are a believer, I challenge you to share your story. How is your life different because of Him? If you do not know Jesus (not just ABOUT Him), my challenge for you is to ask someone who does how He has change their life. And yes, I bought the oils. 🙈