Hello, I’m Little Pot, a fruit-bearing vessel created by the potter. You can read my story in the children’s book, The Little Pot. As God’s vessel, you may seek ways to share your faith and let your light shine for Jesus. Whether you’re a child or an adult, you can follow many practical tips to spread the love and message of Christ. I have five tips to help you.

Be humble. Don’t think of yourself as above anyone else.

The Bible is full of paradoxes. Things like, “When I am weak, then I am strong,” and “Whoever finds their life will lose it.” If you’re a follower of Christ, you may have experienced that He never takes us on a straight path. It seems we go in one direction to end up in another. I, myself, had to be emptied to feel full. Likewise, most people will tell you that shining happens when you pridefully and confidently lets yourself be known. However, that is not so. To shine for Jesus, we must be humble. Humility is not thinking less of yourself. It is thinking of yourself less.

Consequently, you shouldn’t put yourself above anyone else. Instead, treat everyone with kindness and respect. In the story of Burnout, Fit In, the oil lamp has been placed on a pedestal to shine the potter’s light across the room. Its position is literally above the other vessels. Therefore, it begins to think it is above them mentally too. Regardless of the position our creator places you in, remember that we are all equal in God’s eyes and should love our neighbors as ourselves. By being humble, you can show others the love and grace of Jesus in a powerful way.

Share your story with others.

Another way to let your light shine for Jesus is to share your story with others. Everyone has a unique story of how they came to know and love Jesus, and sharing that story can inspire and encourage others. In the children’s book, The Oil Lamp, Tea Pot and I share our stories to give courage to the little lamp. Once we do, the oil lamp feels braver and will hold the potter’s light again. Whether through social media, a blog, or simply talking to someone in person, sharing your story can help others see the power of God’s love and grace in your life. Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable and share your struggles and triumphs. It can help others relate to you and see they are not alone in their struggles. Here’s another blog about your life story. When preparing your story, check out the elements of a good story here.

Never hide your imperfections.

It’s easy to feel like we need to present a perfect image of ourselves to the world, but the truth is that we all have imperfections. We carry mental scars from self-inflicted actions and how others may have treated us. Instead of hiding them, embrace them and use them to show others that it’s okay to be imperfect. Remember, when God is taking you through a rough period, it is to give you the experiences and humility you’ll need to help someone else. In our new book, Burnout Fit In, the cracked jar uses its wound and imperfections to filter oil into the oil lamp. The Holy Spirit can penetrate someone else’s life through the tough experiences you’ve been through. Don’t be afraid to share.

Work together.

One of the best ways to let your light shine for Jesus is to work together with others. The oil lamp could only shine briefly before it faced burnout. It needed the help of the cracked jar. Always remember you can’t shine alone. Whether volunteering at a local charity, joining a church group, or helping a neighbor in need, working together can make a big impact. So don’t be afraid to reach out and collaborate with others to spread the love and kindness of Jesus.

Always be mindful of growing the fruit of the Spirit.

Did you know that light can bear fruit, just like me?

Ephesians 5 describes Christians as children of the light. Additionally, it explains that the fruit of the light consists of all goodness, righteousness, and truth. Likewise, we know that Paul describes the fruit of the Spirit as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control. You are light and fruit-bearers as a Christian because the Holy Spirit lives in you. I’ve seen God produce the fruit of the Spirit in people just as the potter produces strawberries through me. My author, Dawn, explains it in seven steps. I hope you’ll join me on the fruit-bearing journey. We will see how God works in our lives and with those around us. In addition, you’ll receive a short, fruitful Friday email each week. Just type in your email address and name below.