Be a Blessing

​Meditation
1 Thessalonians 3:11,12—Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you.  And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone, just as we also do for you.  
 
Context: My predecessor seldom left her office.  She didn’t walk around and meet the employees in her organization.  She was not a bad person she just was not engaged.  Her style of leadership was completely “hands off.” 

The Army is reeling from too many soldiers taking their lives and we were ordered to do a “stand down” day to discuss suicide prevention.  I wasn’t excited to attend the first battle assembly after taking command to address this morbid subject with all of our headquarters personnel.  Before I started speaking I walked around the room to meet each employee and shake as many hands as I could.  Then I went in front of them and shared from my heart why I believe suicide is a spiritual problem.  I don’t think the audience expected to hear such words in our increasingly secular environment.  We ended up having productive dialogue before I turned the time over to the facilitator. 

Later that day, I learned that one of our captains broke down (emotionally expressing to others that he considered taking his life).  But because I shook his hand, he felt encouraged enough that he mattered and decided to open up.  My deputy encouraged me to meet with him and I was able to learn much about this young officer’s struggles.  Fortunately, because he was honest we were able to get him help and avert what could have been a tragedy.

The simple act of shaking someone’s hand made a difference.  I was profoundly reminded of how important it is for us who are loved by Jesus to be a blessing to others.  Your words and actions carry great weight.  Take the time to thank those you work with (and perhaps take for granted) and share your appreciation for them.  If you are married pass on a blessing to your spouse.  Tell your children how much you love them.  Ask our loving Savior to direct your way to those you know whom you might encourage.
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God’s love is not finite.  We have His power inside us to increase our love for one another.   Andrew Murray wrote inWith Christ in the School of Prayer, “It is when we give ourselves to be a blessing that we can specially count on the blessing of God.”  Thank you for who you are you.  Thank you for what you do that honors our Father.  Thank you for loving the Lord and for wanting to be more like Him. Thank you for inspiring me to inspire others.  You are a blessing.  
 
©2012 Daniel York  ARR.  Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box. Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)