#28

You Are A Person Of Influence

My mommy was reading Joel's Daily Devotional and thought I should repost it, because it was just THAT good. I think one of the reasons why I never let things get to me is because I know it's not all about me. It's never about me. And it's never about you. It's about what you can do for God and what you can do for others.

Jesus didn't die for you to drive in a Lexus, he died for you to change the world.

Nothing is more satisfying than sacrificing your time for something greater than yourself... By putting Jesus first, Others second, and Yourself last, you get something so rare nowadays. JOY. So without further ado! Joel Osteen's message of hope for the day! (BTW: Joel Osteen also wrote the book that changed my life, "Your Best Life Now." After the Bible, It's basically the only book you need to read. Seriously.)

I believe every individual is a catalyst for change in their environment. We all have the capacity to make a difference in the lives of the people around us. Every day, we should look for ways to become a better friend, a better employee, a better spouse or parent. We should ask ourselves, "A hundred years from now, will it have made a difference that I lived? Did I wake up every day and give it my best? Did I keep my heart of compassion open, helping others, giving, caring?" Each of us should be determined that the world around us will be better off because of us.

One thing I've noticed is that when people go through difficulty, often times they tend to just "hunker down" or slip into survival mode. When things aren't going as planned, it's tempting to just settle where we are and focus on ourselves. But those are the times when it's especially important to reach out and look for ways to be a blessing to others. No matter what you may be facing in life, you always have something to give. Those seeds of kindness, compassion, and generosity are what the Lord will use to give you a new perspective, to see the world around you in a different light, and take you places that you never dreamed.

What was the difference? The master stepped in.

My father used to always say, "The light that shines the farthest, shines brightest at home." In other words, we need to first make a difference in our own families and communities...

Bloom where you're planted :)