Born To Bless

Read: Proverbs 11:10-11

Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted. Proverbs 11:11, NIV

IN WORD

We sit in traffic and complain about all the cars blocking our way. Or we stand in line wondering how long we will have to wait and lamenting the waste of time. The conversations that go on in our minds at such moments are often filled with criticism or frustration. But there’s one voice that we should listen to above all others. It’s the voice that says, “Look at all the people I’ve put in your line of sight to bless! Look at all the problems in front of you that you could be praying about! Look into the hearts of the people around you and ask Me to meet their needs!” In other words, we have numerous opportunities to bless people. And we miss them.

Those opportunities aren’t limited to prayers, of course. Virtually everyone lives, works, or studies among other people who, in some way or another, could be influenced by a godly attitude and a desire to bless. The Christian community has a plethora of platforms among us, and we could use them to improve lives, encourage hearts, and show glimpses of the Kingdom way. Instead, many of us use our time in arguments and critiques on social media, or by focusing on our immediate needs and not the needs of others, or by looking for a chance just to get away from it all. But God has given us a multitude of open doors to get into it all in a way that blesses the neighborhood, the community, and the city. He has called His people to be blessers as a demonstration of what the Kingdom looks like.

IN DEED

The Kingdom doesn’t benefit when we withhold our influence, resources, and relationships from those outside of it. The Kingdom’s reputation isn’t enhanced when we miss opportunities to demonstrate the Kingdom in the world. And no lives are touched when we forget to say a blessing, even a silent one, over the needy lives and families around us. When the upright serve the welfare of the community, the community responds with joy. That’s what the Kingdom looks like. It certainly will later; but it can even now.

ADDITIONAL READING: Romans 12:14-17

There is always time to look up to Him for His smile.

F. B. MEYER