As she filled me in on her ideas she said “I wanted to ask her to say a few words. She always makes things better”.  My friend didn’t know what this person would say to help assuage the situation but she knew that whatever she would say and the manner she would say it in, would make things better.

Wow, what a testimony…to be known as a person who always makes things better.  In that instant she had just summarized our entire purpose of ministry…to make things better.  Nothing could be simpler and yet nothing could be more profound.  Her remark was so telling on one hand and so piercing on the other.

I guess I can say it gave me a moment of clarity.  It reminded me again about the choices we make in our brief time here on this earth.  It reminded me of the qualities in life that are worth emulating and modeling that give meaning to our lives and purpose to our existence.

I believe that when we embrace that our goal is to always make things better we are somehow better equipped to endure when things get rocky and the obstacles increase.  Embracing this truth helps us to find value in people when some would suggest our efforts are futile.  It will help us to find a reason to smile and exchange love and compassion when around us are countless excuses for us to do the opposite.

Wouldn’t it be terrific if all of us were known as people who always make things better?  People who don’t just make things better in our respective ministries but also on our jobs, in our places of group worship and in our homes.  To be known as people who don’t add to the problems and difficulties that may exist; but who always help make things better.

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven”. Matthew 5:14-16 NIV

I’m going to try to hold onto this moment of clarity and use it to evaluate more closely what I do and how I do it.  I can’t change yesterday but I’m sure I’ll have a chance to make things better today.  How about for you?

Did you hear that?

There is so much chatter going around today. There is chatter about world events and the tangled webs of economic and social crisis. There is chatter about celebrities with the constant focus on what they gained or lost (as if it affects our gains or losses ). There is chatter about the local crime and the collapse of our moral fiber on all sides. We are inundated with chatter from all sides with each making their case that the information is vital to our well being.

The experts say that the effect of all of this information is to make us desensitized and numb to things that ordinarily should give us a sense of shock and concern. It now takes more and more shocking information to hold our attention. This can’t be healthy, can it?

My favorite author says “by beholding you become changed” which simply means we adopt characteristics of the things that capture and hold our attention. Although we might feel that we are immune from the assaults on our decency and peace by the things we take in, I’ll be the first to admit that the effects are real.

I’ve heard this same concern from several people that I highly respect. Some have decided that they would be better off by eliminating most of this chatter by simply making better choices of what they do with their spare time. They have decided to use time they formally spent absorbing negativity in  more productive ways. The positive ways they now spend their time is quite varied but all useful to helping them become a better person to the people in their lives. Plus, they all report that they feel better about who they are.

I think I need to become much more tone deaf to the chatter that feeds on the negative aspects of life. I would like to be more open to the limitless opportunities to experience a life that does not have as its motivation the fears, insecurities and negativity that the chatter tries to instill.

I’ve found that the people that I influence and interact with are better served when my mind is more in tune with goodness. I’ve found that my words are shaped by my thoughts and my thoughts are influenced by the things I spend time contemplating. Maybe that’s why David said:

Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked,

or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.

But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night.

They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season.

Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do. Psalms 1:1-3 NLT

Tone deaf on purpose. Now that’s advice worth listening to.