March 15, 2021

Be an example

And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching.  Titus 2:7

I didn’t always live such a good life.  Sure, I mostly worked hard and always managed to hold down a decent job, but that was only because God was always watching over me.  The fact is that I wasted a lot of years trying to figure life out when all along I had the answers right in front of me.  I remember always wanting to find a place to fit in, but could never quite get there.  Even in the church I grew up in, there just didn’t seem to be that perfect place where I truly felt like this is the place where I was meant to be.  Of course, I knew it was the right thing to be involved in church and do my part, but still I felt like something just wasn’t right.

I dropped out for a while and got busy with life, working and being a mother, but I never found the place where I was comfortable enough with myself to fit.  I began to realize that I was trying to “fit in” some place instead of becoming who God created me to be.  Trust me, this is a work in progress, and I am still becoming even today.  The truth is, we are all becoming who God created us to be until the day we leave this world and go on to be with Him.

My point is that in becoming who God created me to be, I am that creation wherever I am and who ever I am with.  In becoming the child of God that He made me to be, I am an example to all, everywhere I go.  Whether at work, my neighborhood or even at church, I am an example by doing God’s good works of every kind.  No matter what the cost or the resources required, I can be a blessing to all, with what I have right now and who I am right now.  I will continue to grow and change and my resources will do the same, but what doesn’t change is my ability to display the goodness of God through serving and blessing others.

In this verse in Titus, Paul is telling Titus to be an example where he is by doing good works and reflecting the integrity of the ministry.  He lets Titus know that he is representing not only the ministry that Paul set up, but he is also an ambassador for the King of kings and the Lord of lords.  That needs to become our mentality.  We are not in this world to be popular or rich or beautiful.  It is ok if we are those things, but it is not our purpose and without finding that purpose, these things will never make us feel like we belong here.  It is only by giving of ourselves and doing good to those God brings our way.

Today I want to encourage you to begin to find your place in this world by becoming who God created you to be, right where you are right now.  Take a step of faith and ask your Heavenly Father to bring people your way that you can bless.  Be an example of God’s love to your neighborhood and co-workers by using your time, resources and influence to help or encourage them all.   Let everyone see how much God loves them through the way you are loving them.  It may not be very comfortable at first, but keep it up and soon you will be looking for your next opportunity to love on someone that God loves.  There is only one sure way to never be taken advantage of and that is to give all you are in love and no one will ever be able to steal if from you.

Today’s scripture reading: Titus 2:1-8