Friday 27 February 2015

WHO'S FOLLOWING YOU?

Recently when visiting a swimming pool with Laura and my two girls, my heart was warmed to see a little boy with ginger hair and red cheeks following Talia, my 6 year old daughter around the splash pool area.  To begin with Talia was totally unaware that this small boy was following her everywhere we walked, keen to get her attention.  Talia was too busy splashing around and looking after our youngest daughter, Sophie to notice.  I actually felt really sorry for the little lad who seemed so desperate to play with Talia and continued to follow her despite not being recognised.  But eventually, after a while and some persistence, the little lad caught Talia’s eye and they began to engage.  Talia realised that he wanted to play and began to include him in her playful water activities.

This made me think about our God-given ability to influence others.  Whether you know it or not, there are people that look to and follow you.  But the question is do you know who they are?  Have you leveraged your influence and connected with them yet?  We can all be a positive influence for good and for God.  This doesn’t necessarily mean that we are going to be trying to build deep relationships with everyone that looks to us, though there may well be a few, but perhaps we can share something of God’s light and life that will really lift them in their journey.  There are a lot of people walking through life without a sense of vision and direction.   You and I can be part of pointing them in the way of Christ, the One whom they were created by and for.  

Bible Bite: “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1 (Words of the Apostle Paul) 

Challenge: Like Paul in the verse above, let’s follow Jesus as others follow us.    

Friday 6 February 2015

Seize Every Opportunity to Share Words of Light and Life

My 2 beautiful princesses showing some thoughtful and creative love
Every year my family and I love to go on holiday for some rest and relaxation at CenterParcs. If you've never been before it's an amazing place where you basically get to live in an amazing secluded woodland for a week. The last 2 times that we've been, before leaving our lodge, our 6 year old Talia has insisted that we leave a message for the cleaners using the blackboard and coloured chalk provided. Talia's message was simple yet powerful, "God loves you". 

This simple act of kindness is a reminder to seize every opportunity to communicate God's love and don't be afraid to be creative in the process or to keep it simple. Our words can impact others another in a positive and powerful way. Someone maybe having a down day or going through a tough time or simply in need of some words of encouragement. Our words can bring light and life and brighten up someone's world. 

Personal Challenge: Whether it's verbal, written or typed, be intentional about sharing some faith-building, kind words of affirmation.

Bible Bite: Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim.' Proverbs 15:4 (MSG)