The Blessing of Others
Acts 23:11 – The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify about me in Rome.”
Amazingly, God told Paul, while he was in jail, that he would be speaking in Rome. This seemed impossible, as more than 40 people were putting together a plot to kill Paul. The leaders in Jerusalem were involved, Paul was in jail, and the plan was sure to succeed. Fast forward a week, through a series of events involving many people starting with his nephew, Paul is standing trial in Rome before Governor Felix. Read about the miraculous delivery from Jerusalem to Rome in Acts 23 and 24.
God has been described as “the great alchemist.” He often uses people to carry out his plans. I once heard a pastor say that God will not send you anywhere that he does not have someone on the other side to receive you. No doubt, others are a blessing in your life.
In the Seasons Journal, I have an exercise to write down the 5+ people that had the greatest impact on your life. If you spend time alone thinking through your life, you will remember people that made a tremendous impact. God used these people, no doubt, to make you the person you are today.
For me, God used a good friend and spiritual mentor to teach me about the value of journaling each morning as I read the Bible. He challenged me to deepen my time alone with God by recording my thoughts. Today, I have no less than fifteen journals in which I have recorded my morning thoughts from my reading, what God has shown me. Open any of these journals, read a page, and you can tell what was going on in my life during that time. I can think of no greater gift to leave my kids than the thoughts of their dad as he went through life. This friend not only impacted my life but generations through his counsel.
Like me, as you think through the people and the events in your life, you will, no doubt, recognize God’s grace for placing these individuals in your path. These people impacted generations by their work in your life.
Be it parents, a spouse, teachers, pastors, coaches, friends, siblings, take a moment to thank them today. In the Seasons Journal, I suggest writing each person a letter. A quick message of thanks and gratitude will impact them more than you realize. And, what a great time of year to give thanks.
Impact others. Live generously.
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