Saturday, December 21, 2013
By: Gwen Hitt
Light of the World
Romans 12:6-8 In His grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
I was recently given a Christmas gift that I will always treasure by someone I greatly respect ... someone who has devoted her life to serving others. In my opinion, this person's life is truly reflective of the title of the inspirational book that she gave to me - You Make the World Better.
Amazingly, this person - someone who does so much for so many without regard for personal recognition - penned the following words to me "You make me want to be a better person." I was surprised to read these words and couldn't believe that someone I look up to so much sees something in ME that is positively influencing her life. As I read those words, I realized that our impact on the lives of others has the potential to make a huge difference - in our lives ... in their lives ... in the world.
As I reflected on how we could influence others through our examples, I was reminded of a study that substantiated the belief that happiness is contagious. Interestingly, the findings of this study indicate that individuals can spread their own happiness among people at least three degrees removed from each other. The following example was included to illustrate this point: "If you're in a good mood, chances are you can perk up the mood of your best friend's cousin without even trying!" Impacting happiness THREE degrees removed from each other --- you, your friend, and your friend's cousin --- is definitely indicative of our potential for influence.
Today's scripture verses urge us to USE the gifts that God has given us. I would encourage you to reread these verses in order to identify your gift(s). Then, I challenge you to start using your God-given gift(s) to impact those you encounter ... to MAKE THE WORLD BETTER.
Dear Lord, You tell me in Matthew 5:14 that I am "the light of the world." I pray that my life illuminates You to those in this world who have not established a relationship with You. Allow them to see You in the compassion that I display ... in the way that I reflect Your love.
I thank You, my Jesus, for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life.
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Today, we celebrate the life of Connie Taylor Barbier, the inspiration of the Constant Friend devotion. While on this earth, she TRULY made the world a better place. Although she is now in Heaven, she continues to inspire so many. We pray for Connie's family as well as all those impacted by the loss of a loved one...especially during the holiday season.
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