My heart turned cartwheels when I read the note. A few years back I left a church where I served seventeen years. They gave me a wonderful send-off, highlighted by some very loving and very encouraging thank you notes. One friend said, "Tommy, I am probably like most people and have so much to say, but not able to put how I feel into words. I guess you could sum it up in one word, ‘Brother.’”
My friend and I go back thirty years so his words were an incredible honor. We've enjoyed a great friendship, but to tag me as "brother" is more than I deserve. As I think about what he wrote, the words of another come to mind. In the Frank Capra classic, It's A Wonderful Life, the angel apprentice Clarence says to George Bailey, "Strange isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives, and when he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?"
It seems to me that our greatest contributions often come when we least expect it. It isn't in the teaching, but in the touch. It isn't in the selling, but in the smile. It isn't in the doing, but in the being. As someone who can get caught up in the performance, Paul's words are a great reminder that it is the person who counts:
"Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are all called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the words of Christ, in all their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise. Use his words to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, all the while giving thanks through him to God the Father." (Colossians 3:12-17)
Living as a representative of Jesus is an incredible honor and a heavy privilege; clothing ourselves with his life and his love we will make an impact when we least expect it.
FOCAL POINT: Begin your day with this prayer: "Lord Jesus, clothe me with your life and your love that I might make the right impact when I least expect it.
Copyright © 2009 Tommy Kiedis