Keeper of the word
Nov 24, 2025
When Other See You, Do You Look Like the Word or Christ?
Over a decade ago, my friend Wilma sent me a photo of their home in Montana on a typical gray, snowy day. Their young Bichon Frise, Krug, absolutely loved the snow. If you’ve ever met a Bichon, you never forget them. These small dogs with their soft, snow-white coats, round fluffy faces, bright black eyes, and button noses have world-class personalities. Their antics steal your heart—and often the spotlight. And don’t be fooled by their beauty—their sharp minds and curious personalities keep their owners both entertained and on their toes!
Most people consider Bichons inside dogs, but Krug was different. He loved the snow and many times, Wilma or Barry would try to coax him back inside, only for him to bolt away, heart set on more snowy adventures. He was an outside dog at heart, a true snow lover.
That day, Wilma’s email came with a simple challenge: “Find Krug.” The problem? A small, white dog playing in a blanket of fresh snow isn’t exactly easy to spot. I had to zoom in, scanning every inch of that photograph, until I finally found him—by his little black nose.
As, I reminisced over the snowy photo the Lord gently whispered to my heart, “Why was Krug hard to find?” The answer was simple—he blended into his environment. Unless you were really looking, Krug disappeared into the endless sea of white. And with that realization came a deeper question from the Lord: “Does the world have to scrutinize you to see a difference? To see the light of Christ in your life?”
It’s easy to blend into our environment—to look like the world around us. But when we follow Christ, we aren’t called to blend in. We are called to stand out. I think back to Krug in the summertime running across the lush, green yard, his white coat gleamed brilliantly in the sunlight. Against the dark snowy background, he disappeared. But in the bright summer sun, he was impossible to miss.
We often experience both seasons. At times, we blend in with the world—discouraged, fearful, angry, burdened. But in the presence of Christ, we shine. The enemy wants us hidden in the shadows, looking like everyone else. But Christ calls us to reflect His light— with the joy, love, and truth of the gospel.
Jesus told His disciples to never put a light under a basket instead to place it on something tall like a lampstand, and the light will expand its influence. He challenges us to the radiate our light and be visible to impact others to expand the gospel.
Light does three vital things in the spiritual realm:
1. It dispels darkness—it overcomes sin, fear, discouragement, and spiritual bondage.
2. It reveals truth—it gives us clarity to see ourselves and the world as God sees them.
3. It points others to Christ—like a beacon guiding the lost to safety.
The truth is, we have no light of our own. Like the moon reflects the sun’s brilliance, we reflect the light of the Son. The moon without the sun is dark and lifeless—but in the sun’s presence, it glows.
Children of God… the light of Christ dispels the darkness that clouds not only the world but sometimes our own hearts. As His followers, we are His reflection—where we live, work, and serve. The world desperately needs to see the message of Christ lived out in us.
We are ambassadors of light, demonstrating His love by loving God first, and then loving those around us. But when we choose to live like the world, our light diminishes. The message of hope becomes hidden, and those searching for truth may never see it.
So, what happens when we choose to live passionately for Christ? When we love Him above all else? The result is as clear as light versus dark.
· We live passionately.
· We become a beacon pointing others to Christ.
· We are to have the courage to look different from the world.
There will be days we blend in—days marked by discouragement, grief, or struggle. But we don’t have to stay there. Reach out to Him, and He will draw you back to His light.
Be like Krug on a summer day—gleaming, radiant, impossible to miss. Immerse yourself in the presence of Jesus, and His light will shine through you.
“Those who look to Him are radiant with joy.” — Psalm 34:5
Thanks to Wilma and Barry O’Connor for the use of their photos and their wonderful puppy Krug, who was taken from us, long before we were ready.
