“People learn from one another, just as iron sharpens iron.” (Proverbs 27:17 GNT)
Tuesday night I attended a 4-H volunteer recognition program with my wife, an advisory council member. I typically would have stayed home, but she asked me to go. I agreed, moved by last Sunday’s specific message about going “home.” While we looked at three passages Sunday, the thing that resonated with me and moved me to give the right response to my spouse’s invitation was a focus on the “home” that the Prodigal Son returned to after venturing out on his own. He came back home to a place where there was provision, partying, and to pilfer a saying from a popular, well-known film, the son came to a place where he realized, “There is no place like home.”
“Home” as it related to my invitation was how I would have reacted when we were in the dating, courting, or whatever you call it today, stage. During those “home” days, I would respond right away without one excuse to an invitation from her to go somewhere.
I’m glad that I went to the dinner. It turned out that I heard one of many quotes spoken by the Master of Ceremonies that I felt was worth sharing with fellow believers. It comes from an unknown author. Here is the quote: “If you want to touch the past, touch a rock. If you want to touch the present, touch a flower. If you want to touch the future, touch a life.” It was the latter part of the quote that stayed with me and struck the bell of my Christian responsibility loudly, “…if you want to touch the future, touch a life.”
The 4H theme for the year was “Light the Way.” Of course, that made me think of Jesus’ words to us about being the light of the world. Read the closing verses, ponder on them, as well as the quote I just shared. Afterwards, purposely set out to make this a turnaround Thursday by touching somebody’s life by letting your light shine brightly. Have a great day! Be blessed!
“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16 The Message Bible)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King