Friday, October 5, 2012

Little Words...

Two mornings ago, I was mowing our yard. It takes about an hour and a half to mow our almost-half-acre lot with a push mower. I was about two-thirds of the way done when I thought about getting to cross it off my to-do list. Then I thought about where it was written on my list. Such a small word - Mow - right there, nestled among the many other tasks I have written down at this time. Such a small word, but it was a big job and took more time than would many of the listed items whose titles are comprised of many more letters.

My next train of thought led me to Christ. Did he have anything big on his to-do list that was such a small word? Yes, he did: D-I-E. Another small three-letter word, but one that took a lot from him. It took his life. It took his resolve and commitment to follow his Father's will, even though he knew how horrible it would be. It took more time than it took him to heal or bless many of the people he impacted through his ministry (the whole process, that is, from arrest to trial to beatings to the cross...). His healings and blessings sometimes took as little as a word or a touch. You know, he could have stopped it at any time - but he didn't. And because he didn't, what a HUGE impact the workings of that small three-letter word in his life has been in the lives of so many countless others. This was God's plan. This is what it was all for. WE are what it was all for.

The smallest things that we can do for people sometimes may have a great impact. Just notice someone, smile at them, say 'hello,' recognize them as a person who has value. I remember a time when I stopped to talk to a gentleman who was homeless sitting outside of our church building. I actually talked to him on two occasions. The second time, he said, "Most people walk right by and never say anything to me." All I did was say hello, shake his hand, and ask him if he was interested in coming inside.

Be willing to rearrange your schedule and make some sacrifices of your time, comfort level, and own wants for someone else today. You have the opportunity to be blessed more than you can imagine and any sacrifices you make will be worth it. If God leads you to say or do something - say or do it! He won't let go of you until you do - or until you drown the voice of the Holy Spirit. Don't let it be the latter in your life.

God loves you, more than you can ever imagine. May you feel His great love for you today and may you share that love with someone else.