Have you ever been inspired by great people? I know I have. You probably won't find me on the streets of Calcutta like Mother Teresa or preaching a sermon from the pulpit. I won't pioneer a life saving vaccine or climb Mount Everest. But I try to be an encourager. Although encouraging is such a simple thing, it can have a profound effect on those we encourage. I am inspired by Barnabas. He was a mate of Paul's and was known as an encourager. He stood up for Mark, who had been a disappointment, and went out on a limb to encourage him in God's work. (Read Acts 15:36-41.) We can all do that! We don't need great skills or amazing insight. We don't need to be better than anyone else. We only need to let God use us to encourage people, to show us who they are and how best to spur them on. We can spend time with someone who is lonely or troubled. We can be patient with someone who is a pain in the neck. We can say thanks for a job well done, a sermon preached, a story shared.
We can also try to be a positive role model and to lead by example. If we try our best to be like Jesus, others will aspire to do the same. Strive to be selfless and look for ways to help others and to put them first. I Corinthians 11:1 says "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." All of us make hundreds of choices every day. Most choices have no right or wrong attached to them - like what you eat. But we always face decisions that carry a little more weight. We don't want to do wrong and we don't want to cause others to do wrong, so how can we make such decisions? Paul's attitude was not arrogant when he said "Follow my example." Rather, he was trying to point these new Christians to Christ and what better way than to point them to a Christian whom they trusted. If you or your teen is choosing one course of action ask...
Lord, teach us to follow your lead, to give of ourselves and to show others your love. Hold our hands as we try to lead others to you. Remind us that you will guide every step we take. Amen.
We can also try to be a positive role model and to lead by example. If we try our best to be like Jesus, others will aspire to do the same. Strive to be selfless and look for ways to help others and to put them first. I Corinthians 11:1 says "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." All of us make hundreds of choices every day. Most choices have no right or wrong attached to them - like what you eat. But we always face decisions that carry a little more weight. We don't want to do wrong and we don't want to cause others to do wrong, so how can we make such decisions? Paul's attitude was not arrogant when he said "Follow my example." Rather, he was trying to point these new Christians to Christ and what better way than to point them to a Christian whom they trusted. If you or your teen is choosing one course of action ask...
- Does it help my witness for Christ?
- Am I motivated by a desire to help others know Christ?
- Does it help me do my best?
- Am I thinking only of myself, or do I truly care about the other person?
- Am I acting lovingly or selfishly?
- Does it glorify God?
- Will it cause someone else to sin?
Lord, teach us to follow your lead, to give of ourselves and to show others your love. Hold our hands as we try to lead others to you. Remind us that you will guide every step we take. Amen.
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