Do we bring out the best in others?
July 6, 2007 (Friday) – Hunter Pence played for the Hooks in Corpus Christi, and he was a favorite of the fans. Now playing for the Astros in the big leagues, he is one of the most popular players.
More than being a good player and very popular with the fans and team members alike, he is an inspiration to the team. He is always excited, forever optimistic, and truly humble. His attitude brings out the best in the other players.
Do we bring out the best in others?
Inspiring others along life’s highway is one of life’s most satisfying quests. Just to know that you have helped someone is enough to make you feel good all over, but to be told that you actually inspired someone to reach higher, run faster and try harder is one of life’s greatest joys.
My father-in-law lived a dual life. He was a rancher, and always ran cattle on his spread in the Navasota River bottom. He was also a school teacher, and he dearly loved teaching and making a difference in the lives of children and young people. He was School Superintendent for the last 25 or 30 years of his career. He dearly loved to clear land, making new pasture, build fences, look after his herd, etc., but I believe his first love was still the classroom. His favorite stories were about children, many of them disadvantaged, whose lives had taken a more positive direction because of the interest he showed in them. As he grew older, he thought about them more, because he had seen them grow up to become great people.
He stands out in my mind as an example of letting your life bless others without showing off or bragging about it. His name is Legion, for there are many in our midst today who live that way. Only eternity will reveal how many people they have inspired to have a better life, Their optimism, energy and enthusiasm have rubbed off on people and encouraged them to seek a better life.
I know a lot of people like that. Some of them are reading this article right now. To them and others like them, I say, “Keep that precious positive attitude. May the Lord keep on blessing you and may he continue to make you a blessing.
Christians are urged to “Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12, New Living Translation). Jesus taught us, “Let your light shine!” (Matthew 5:16). Why? To light the way for others.
I love the way “The Message” translation presents these words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount: “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 Translation).