Fan The Flame

21 Jan

“Sometimes our light goes out but is blown again into instant flame by an encounter with another human being.”  ~ Albert Schweitzer

There are way too many times in our lives when we think about ourselves and only ourselves.  What are we going to do, what are we going to eat, where are we going to go, what would we like to possess, where would we like to visit, et cetera. Our days and our thoughts are so often filled with self that we do not take the time to consider others.  Yet, others is where our thoughts and actions should be.

We know the impact others had on our lives when we were at a low ebb.  We might have been feeling down or might have been sick.  We might have suffered a disappointment or a loss.  We might not have known what we were going to do or how we were going to continue.  In that morass, someone else stepped into our lives and provided us with what we needed, with a reason to continue.

Jesus did that for us.  When we were are our lowest point, when our lives no longer seemed to make any sense and we had given up hope, He became one of us.  As a young man, He taught and healed many people.  He came into their lives in a powerful way and challenged them to share there new-found blessings with others.  That was the final message that He gave to His disciples before His ascension:  go into the world and tell the Good News.

Even if we are feeling low, even if we are looking for help, doing for others is extremely powerful.  Not only does it help them; but, it provides a clarity of purpose for us.  It reminds us of the bounteous love of God and assures us that we are not alone.  When we encounter another person — either by doing for them or by them doing for us — we encounter the one who loves us completely.  We encounter God.

FAITH ACTION:  While your day may be going well, someone else may need some encouragement to continue.  Be that encouragement for another today.