Bishop Wills' Life Journal entry for July 24, 2008 -- The Blessing Is Not For Me Only

S: 1Peter 3: 6-7 (The Message)
Summing up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless - that’s your job, to bless. You’ll be a blessing and also get a blessing.

O: This passage is the recipe of how Christ followers are to live. There seems to be no other way that is acceptable for those of us who claim to follow Jesus.

A: This passage looks easy at first. Of course I seek to be all positive attitudes as a Christian. And, when there is no one around, I can do all of them without much effort. For me, the problem comes when there is tension or conflict. That is when “the rubber hits the road”.

I think the secret, for me, is to stop trying to live by a check list, but rather to focus my life on being a blessing to others. In fact early in the Old Testament God tells Abram in Genesis 12:2 “I will make you a great nation and bless you….You will be a blessing.

I think the only reason we are blessed is so that we can be a blessing to others. If I am blessed (which I am), it is not for me, but rather I am blessed in order that I might be a blessing to others.

Since I feel so very blessed this day, I will use this blessing to bless others who cross my path.

P: Father thank you for the many blessings in my life. May I never think the blessings are only for me. But rather may I use my blessings to bless others. Love, Dick

Y: I will seek to be a blessing to all I encounter today.