What is it about a baby that turns heads and makes people smile? Perhaps it is the reminder of precious memories, perhaps the anticipation of how this little person will experience the wonder of life, perhaps just the presence of cuteness and innocence that a baby carries.
A baby, simply by being present, can bring a smile to strangers. So how can we, as children of God, deliver an ever-present joy and hope to those around us?
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Providing a Presence
Imagine carrying Christ so closely within us that His loving, all-powerful and healing presence simply overflows wherever we go. Imagine carrying that kind of presence that lights up a room and lifts off burdens.
[2 Corinthians 2:15] says,
“For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.”
The passage goes on to explain how to some this is “the aroma of death leading to death”, but to others, it is “the aroma of life leading to life.” [2 Corinthians 2:16]
Not everyone will be receptive, but we can give people hope and peace simply by being there with them, and with the spirit of God alive in us. When we know God’s love and love Him, that love and contentment is an ever-present aura surrounding us.
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Overflow of the Heart
[Luke 6:45] says,
“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good: and an evil man out of the evil of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”
What treasure do we have in our hearts and how do we protect this treasure? Christ in our hearts cannot be hidden. His light and hope manifests in the words we speak, the compassion we show to others, and the outworking of love as we go about our daily lives.
We each have testimonies of God’s hope – deliverance through a tough situation, an indescribable joy even in challenging circumstances, healing in our bodies, miraculous provision. When we ourselves know that God is faithful and good, this knowledge of goodness overflows. When we ourselves choose to live pure lives according to His instructions, the testimony of our decision will be seen. When people ask how it is that we have such a hope, such a joy, such a peace in our lives, we have an answer.
Therefore, let us keep our eyes on whatever is just, pure and lovely [Philippians 4:8].
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The Power of God Through Us
[Acts 19:11-12] recounts how God worked unusual miracles through Paul
“… so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them.”
God might not work in that same way through us, but He certainly is at work, always, in us all. Through Paul’s hands, God did those miracles. Through our hands, He can also work miracles – peace to a disheartened soul, answered prayers, healing for the sick, the discovery of eternal life.
God is with us wherever we go, and there are many practical opportunities to share His hope and His love with the world around us. Will we allow Him to lead us, and work through us?
Let our prayer be, “more of You God, and less of me!”
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