Having the opportunity of talking with my brother recently he spoke of some the days he spent when working offshore. Of the many experiences he had one stood out more to me than others because of how he conducted himself when on the rig.
He said that most of the men working with him are nice, however some are not. Hespokeofthetimeoneofthemenasked to speak with him. This man was known by all to be one of the toughest acting and roughest talking guys on the rig.
Surprised by the request my brother sat down with him and heard what he wanted to say. Because of my brother’s demeanor around everyone, this person asked my brother to pray for him. He stated that he and his wife were having problems at home and wanted my brother to pray for them. This became a time of friendship between the two that lasted until my brother left the job.
Each one of us should realize that people are watching what we do or how we act every day. It does not matter what we are doing, what we are saying, or where we are going or have been, someone has noticed us in our natural behavior, whether it is good or bad.
As my brother has, each one of us need to realize what we are told in Philippians 2:14; “Do all things without complaining and disputing…” Attitude speaks more for you than you will ever know. How you treat people and speak to people are valuable properties that will affect relationships among your friends and/or non-friends.
Working offshore, as I am told, is a job that pays very well, however it is a job that is demanding and not easy. It will bring about some of the worst in men through their verbiage when speaking to others. It can create an attitude of toughness because of the workload required. Being in the middle of the sea for two weeks at a time, or more, and not enjoying the friendly confines of home can bring about unruliness among many and they carry that demeanor home with them. This is true in many workplaces not just offshore employment. Any of us is susceptible to this type of attitude and demeanor in whatever we do because of what is in us and we allow it to show through us.
My brother is a Christian and it shows through him. He prays every day and speaks in a way to everyone that is acceptable whether it is of love or concern. He sees the positive in everything and tries not to let the negative get in his thoughts. Many people are like this, however if the entire world could be this way, we would have peace instead of troubles throughout the earth.
The man that my brother prayed for went home on his break and returned with a new vision of his job. Home life was good again and his marriage was once again strong. He came to my brother and thanked him immensely for the prayers. My brother witnessed to him throughout the remainder of their working together but does not know for sure if he has surrendered his life to Christ or not. He planted the seed and the Lord will reap the harvest.
If you do not know Jesus as your personal Savior, go to your knees today and acknowledge that you are a sinner and ask Jesus into your heart. With Jesus in your heart and being your guide will change your demeanor and attitude to be a witness for Him and it will show through you every day.
Prayer: Thank you Lord Jesus for my brother and his testimony to others. I pray that all of us can be the witness that you want us to be. Amen.
