Matthew 5:16 “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
As ambassadors of Christ, when we interact with people, we will either draw them forward towards Jesus or push them backwards away from him. Someone once asked the question: “If the church disappeared tomorrow, would anyone notice?” It’s a challenging question and one we can also relate to ourselves. Do our friends, family and neighbours know the good news that we carry? Do the people we work with know that we have a hope to share, an answer to their longings, a shoulder to lean on or a listening ear? Do we gossip, grumble and gripe or bring life and love in our dealings with others?
Catherine Ryan Hyde’s book ‘Pay it Forward’ tells the story of Trevor McKinney, a twelve-year-old boy who accepts his Social Studies teacher’s challenge to come up with a plan to change the world. His plan is to do a good deed for three people and ask them to ‘pay it forward’ to three others who need help. He envisions a vast movement of kindness and goodwill spreading beyond his small California town and across the world. A film was made of the book and the practice of doing random acts of kindness has brought hope and joy to people across the world. Good deeds spread good seeds! Jesus’ sacrifice was the ultimate demonstration of paying it forward when he gave his life for us on the cross, so let’s take every opportunity likewise to ‘pay it forward’. As Mother Teresa said: “Spread love everywhere you go. Let no-one ever come to you without leaving happier.”
I remember one winter cleaning up a grubby inner-city car park with some friends. The people in the surrounding apartments were astonished. They sent out hot mugs of tea, bananas, curry even! It broke down barriers of distrust and fostered community very quickly. What might paying it forward look like for you?
Lord, show me how I might pay it forward today. Amen!
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