I’m at a large, state-wide conference this week. At a dinner last night, we honored 5 individuals who have made a significant impact on our organization and the agricultural industry. It was awesome to hear their accomplishments and see their life’s impact.
As I was walking back to my room, I overheard two conference attendees talking about the awards. One asked the other: “How do you want to be remembered?”
The other responded: “I’m not so concerned with how I’ll be remembered. I’m more concerned with the example I’m showing while living.”
Wow!
We often talk about legacy… what we’ll leave behind and how we’ll be remembered.
But we need to remember that the best way to leave a lasting legacy is to focus on the now!
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:6
My prayer today will be to seize each and every moment to love, praise and serve. And to do it without limits.
Please let me know how to pray for you. God bless!
We’re getting our home ready for the Christmas holidays. Boxes are being hauled out of the attic and decorations are going up all over! Tonight I was reminded of a holiday gathering from several years ago when Hollianne asked me to polish some old silver serving pieces.
And as she brought the silver out of the cabinet, I was less than impressed.
It was ugly. The pieces were stained with a dark tarnish that looked more like dirty dishwater than a shiny showcase for our table.
Hollianne put an old rag in one of my hands. In the other hand she put some silver polish. “Get to it,” she said. And after about 3 minutes of buffing, I could see the beauty in those pieces. It took some work, but the tarnish came off and the luster of the silver returned.
It was beautiful.
Isn’t that the truth for most all of us? We can all be stained from sin or a willful separation from a walk with Jesus.
And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” Mark 7:20-23
I have gone through phases in my life when I felt hopeless and in total despair. Times when I was so ashamed that I couldn’t look myself in the mirror…much less approach anyone (including Jesus) for help.
Ever been there?
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:7-9
Jesus wants a relationship with us. He doesn’t care where we’ve been. He’ll meet us where we are and offer a peace that we can’t describe.
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
When we feel our dirtiest, Jesus still wants us. He yearns for a close relationship with us. He wants us to turn from whatever is holding us back and run back to His loving arms.
And it takes work. Just like those tarnished pieces of silver, our lives are a daily work-in-progress. But we have the blessed assurance of God’s grace that covers all of us. We only need to seek Him daily…and Jesus will meet us there.
“Come now, and let us reason together,” saith the Lord. “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18
Jesus loves you- stains, dirt and all. And I love you too.
Please let me know how I can pray for you this week.
While watching football highlights last night, I observed that there were at least four rivalry games that were marred by ugly finishes.
In each of these games, the winning team rushed to the opponent’s logo and attempted to stick their team’s flag into the center. Pushes and shoves became full-fledged brawls. In Columbus, Ohio, police had to resort to pepper spray to break up the fight.
Emotions run high at these games. Rivalries matter. Passion runs rampant with wins and losses.
But what happened to winning with grace? Losing with grace?
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. James 3:13
We place too much emphasis on not just winning- but dominating. I win and you lose. And when you lose I’m going to tell you about it. I feel better when you feel worse. I’m going to “plant my flag” as a sign of disrespect for you.
This carries over to our daily lives. We can secretly find comfort in the failure of our neighbors…when those around us get humbled at work or at home. “They finally got what they deserved.”
As Christians we are called for more. To love others. To help those who hurt. To celebrate success and to share in others’ success.
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:45
How can we keep ourselves in check when passion, excitement and enthusiasm go to far?
Remember to keep everything in perspective. Our lives are built upon thousands of events- some big and some small. We learn from each and every experience, and that with perspective and experience comes maturity. As my grandmother used to say- don’t let your highs be too high or your lows be too low. Humility is a learned behavior.
Pray for awareness of those suffering around you. One of the best ways to keep humble is to help those around us who are hurting. For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. Galatians 5:13
Remember that we are a walking witness for Jesus. People all around us are watching everything we do. At work. At home. At football games (ouch). In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16 Our actions speak so much more loudly than our words.
The is week I will pray for a more tender heart. I want to see others who I disagree with me as “people,” not as opponents. I want to show others the grace that our Heavenly Father has extended to me.
Friday Word(s) 