PRAISE & PRAYER PROMPT ••• My friend Sandra often says, “You’re blessed to be a blessing.”
I love that, don’t you?!
It is such a pretty way to say that God is using you to help others.
And what an amazing privilege.
Jesus wants us all to experience the joy of being “blessed to be a blessing.”
He said, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16 CSB).
This isn’t a vanity, “Look at me! Look at me!” thing.
This is a matter of living a life that is an abundant orchard of the Holy Spirit’s fruit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
By living according to the Fruit of the Spirit, we bless others with a bright light for Jesus.
These distinguishing characteristics separate us from a world that claims these things but fails to consistently live them.
The world’s poor imitation of love turns to hate when someone offends.
The world’s joy is superficial.
The world’s peace is non-existent for all the talk otherwise.
The world’s patience is thin and weak in our microwave, I-want-it-now-society.
The world’s kindness is often self-seeking.
The world’s goodness fails to measure up.
The world’s faithfulness is fleeting and fickle.
The world’s gentleness is brash and abrasive.
The world’s self-control is self-indulgent.
But the Fruit of the Spirit—real love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—all of that points back to Jesus.
And when we live that way, we may be recognized for being different, but ultimately, the difference is identified as Christ within us.
That’s when we get to be “blessed by being a blessing.”
When others see Jesus in us.
Today, as you pray, thank God for the privilege of being used by Him.
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you live by His fruit so that you may reflect the love of Jesus to whoever you meet.
Ask Him to allow you to be a blessing to others.
