Day 22 – October 31, 2012 – 40 Day Spiritual Journey

BE SOMEONE THAT GOD CAN USE
READ Luke 1: 26-38, 46-55
REFLECT
I used to work for one of the wisest men I’ve ever known. I didn’t know anyone who lived with more integrity than he did. When he went into business meetings and public discussions, he conducted himself with the utmost of respect for everyone. I used to say he was the fairest person I’d ever encountered and I strived to please him with the job I had been hired to do for him.
At the time, I was not a Christian and wondered what it was about him that I admired so much and how I could become more like that. He brought “church people” into his place of business and had business dealings with them. He hired other Christians who tithed to their churches. I used to think, “How absurd! What could possibly entice someone to give 10% of their money to the church?”
God was laying some groundwork for my life that I would later discover. It was not long after I left that place of business that I became a Christian.
On reflection, I believe my previous employer lived such an exemplary life with honesty and integrity that he became a spiritual mentor for me without even realizing it. I believe God can use people who live godly, devoted lives. My old boss displayed his beliefs subtly in his place of work, without judgment towards those of us who didn’t quite believe what he did. He showed me how to live with spiritual integrity in the workplace. I now have a position of authority in our family business and I believe God has been able to show me how to display my faith in front of our employees because of my past personal experience.
Mary lived a quiet life of devotion prior to the time when God let her know that she would be the earthly mother to Jesus. Almighty God chose her and was able to use her to bless us (just as God chose my previous employer to bless me).
BOTTOM LINE
Live a life of obedience and godly devotion. Then God can use your life to bless others.
LIVE
Our actions speak much louder than our words when it comes to influencing others. Rather than preach at someone about the “right” thing to do, it would be better to “do” the right thing and let others see how we live. That way, God can use our lives to influence others. We never know when God will choose to reveal himself in a powerful way to someone, so we should always act with integrity.
PRAY
Pray that you will live the way God wants you to, so that he can use your life and your actions to show others the way to Christ.
Gayle Andrews