Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20

You are a witness. By your life, in your words, and through your actions, you bear witness to the grace and love of God. Take that in for a moment. A witness is what you are. What you do is an extension of what you are, so when you act on your identity as a witness for God, you are “witnessing.” Jesus’ Great Commission – these verses in Matthew – is full of action verbs that outline the work of a witness: go, make, baptize, teach. The life of a witness then is to go along through your daily life, talking about God and his salvation, showing his love to others, and sharing what you have learned as a disciple with other disciples. You might even take part in a baptism. 

If you’re one of the (many) American Christians who narrow the definition of “witness” to telling someone your conversion story, it’s time to reorient your thinking. Not only does that definition put tremendous pressure on you to perform in limited situations, it also neglects the reality that the Holy Spirit works through you in every area of your life. As the gospel sinks deep into your heart, it begins to flow out onto others. You are a witness. Now get going.

God, thank you for the awesome privilege of being a witness for you. Remind me that I have your Spirit to work in and through me as I go.