The Philippine Star

FOLLOW THE LEADER

- KATARA PATTON

No words. Just music and moving. During a twenty-four-hour Zumba marathon amid the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of people from around the globe worked out together and virtually followed instructor­s from India, China, Mexico, America, South Africa, parts of Europe, and several other places. These diverse individual­s were able to move together without any language barriers. Why? Because instructor­s of the exercise craze Zumba, created in the mid-1990s by a Colombian aerobics instructor, utilize nonverbal cues to communicat­e. Class instructor­s move, and students follow their lead. They follow with no words uttered or shouted.

Words can sometimes get in the way and create barriers. They may cause confusion such as the Corinthian­s experience­d, as noted in Paul’s first letter to them. It was confusion brought about by differing views of disputable matters pertaining to the eating of particular foods (1 Corinthian­s 10:27-30). But our actions can transcend barriers and even confusion. As Paul says in today’s passage, we should show people how to follow Jesus through our actions – seeking “the good of many” (10:3233). We invite the world to believe in Him as we “follow the example of Christ” (11:1).

As someone once said, “Preach the gospel at all times. Use words when necessary.” As we follow Jesus’ lead, may He guide our actions to cue others to the reality of our faith. And may our words and actions be done “all for the glory of God” (10:31). What nonverbal faith cues are you showing others through your actions? How are people able to see Christ in your words and actions? Father God, thank You for the example of Jesus. Show me how

to follow Him in actions and in words every day. BIBLE IN A YEAR NUMBERS 9-11; MARK 5:1-20 Follow us on social media: ourdailybr­eadpilipin­as, web: odb.org and filipino-odb.org,

and check our resources at ourdailybr­eadpilipin­as.org.

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