How Contagious Are You?

I want you to show love,
    not offer sacrifices.
I want you to know me
    more than I want burnt offerings.

Hosea 6:6 

 

Kindness really IS contagious!  Think for a moment how contagious are you?  Do you exude kindness?  Look carefully at today's verse.  God is telling us that He wants our relationship, not our "holy acts."  Let's face is, how easy is it to make offerings yet still ignore that person who may be shy?  How easy is it to drop a few bucks in the plate once in a while, yet still not give a second thought to the grumpy coworker who might just need someone to listen?

 

You see, relationships take time and effort.  They tend to start slowly and increase in depth over time.  But how good are we at building relationships?  Especially with people we might not consider "worthy" of our time and effort.  What if God took the attitude that He would only want relationships with those He deemed "worthy" of His time and effort?

 

But God is LOVE!  And kindness is a result of love!  Since God wants to have relationships with us, who are we to judge others as to their worthiness for a relationship with us?

Be Thankful For The Small Things

And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

Colossians 3:17 

Think about life for a moment.  Not the broad vision of LIFE, rather the small parts of life we often take for granted.  Like what?  How about breathing?  If you think breathing is no big thing, try not breathing and see how long before your mind is screaming "You're Right!"

You see, life is not made up of grand gestures.  Life is made up of small actions of gratitude and love.  Think about it: someone holds the door for you (they didn't HAVE to, but chose to do that small act for you), how about someone smiling and saying "hello" to you (Again, they didn't HAVE to, but chose to do that small act for you), someone lets you in line ahead of them (Again, they didn't HAVE to, but chose to do that small act for you), someone reminds you that you are appreciated (Again, they didn't HAVE to, but chose to do that small act for you).

It is the small acts of love and caring that make the biggest impacts.  Why?  A grand gesture is a "One And Done" event  (Take your certificate, medal, watch, check, and have a nice life).  Small acts build upon each other over time, and become ingrained in us to the point that we begin to share them with others whether we realize it or not.

If we are grateful for the small things in life, we will live a life of gratitude and contentment.

"Whatever you do in word or deed, do ALL for the glory of God!"

Gandhi Got It Right!

Do not be conformed to this present world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve what is the will of God—what is good and well-pleasing and perfect.

Romans 12:2 

Mahatma Gandhi once said, "You my BE the change you wish to see in the world."   Have you looked at the world lately?  Chaos is becoming more and more prevalent.  It's as if the whole world has gone insane, and our leaders seem helpless to bring about change because they are too afraid of offending people who might just vote for them.  And our world seems to be on a downward spiral.  What are we to do? Is all lost?  Are we helpless?

Have you ever wanted to make a positive change that would have lasting effects?  Ever want to change the world...until you look at the world and that challenge seems to be such a daunting task that you just cannot fathom how you, being one person, can make a difference that will matter!

John Mayer performed a song called "Waiting for the World to Change."  The song itself is one I enjoy, but think what would happen if WE wait for the WORLD to change?  How long would we have to wait?

You see, Gandhi got it right!  WE must BE the change we wish to see in this world.  And we begin this process with the face in the mirror.  Our prayer should daily be, "Clean my heart and soul, Father, and help me SHOW You to others."  

Just as a point to ponder, a few weeks ago, someone (or group of someones) stocked one of the Department Substation's refrigerator with Gatorade as a way of just doing something nice and to tell the deputies "Thank You."  Was that a big effort?  To some it might be, to a group perhaps not.  The response to that effort was tremendous!  How do I know?  Because the deputies drank all the Gatorade and were so thankful for such a thoughtful act.

Consider this.....kind acts are not "one and done" acts.  Acts of kindness should be ongoing.  Eventually, people will ask you "why do you do that?" and you can tell them that you're weird like that. There are some who think this would be the moment to hammer the Gospel message, but I disagree.  We are called to plant seeds, not pound stone.

Small acts of kindness, have a huge impact!