Vibrant: A Life Worth Livingنموونە

I have a challenge for you today. Make a list of the qualities that you wish you had in a best friend. Would you want this friend to be a good listener? A servant? Have a good sense of humor? To be kind?

After you have made your list, then you become that person! You become the friend that you wish you had!

If I were to make a list of the attributes that I deeply desired in a friend, I believe that Paul’s list, found in Ephesians 4:32, would match my list. And so, today, I will become that person.

I will be kind to the people in my life. I will use kind words and exhibit kind actions. I will even begin to think kind thoughts about the people in my life. How amazing to understand that the Father is thinking kind thoughts about me all day long! I must begin to think like my Father thinks. Kindness always takes the initiative and so I will be assertively kind. 

I will become increasingly tenderhearted. I will not judge others or try to control their actions, but I will be compassionate toward them and endeavor to be sincerely sympathetic. I am humbled by the Father’s tender heart toward me and I will remind myself often that having and demonstrating a tender heart runs in the family. 

I will constantly and generously forgive others. I will not hold onto hurts or petty grudges, but I will lavishly and generously allow the forgiveness of the Father to pour through me. I will remind myself often that it is more fun to forgive. I will confess forgiveness with my mouth even before I experience it in my heart. I will be the most extravagant forgiver of my entire generation! I will forgive much because I have been forgiven much by the One who loves me most and knows me best. 

Every character trait that we are called to embrace, every action of kindness or love, and each word of compassion or tenderness is a telling reflection of the Jesus in us. You are invited to live with the purpose of the gospel and demonstrate the character of God through every cell of your body! You are called to be a vibrant show-and-tell of what God is able to accomplish through one ordinary person. Now do it!

Practical Application:

Write to Carol at carol@carolmcleodministries.com and let her know how she can pray for you to live a vibrant and abundant life.