Connections: Sharing Ourselves

Chuckle: “What papers do I need for my trip to England?” a college student asked the travel agent. “A passport and a visa,” was the reply. “I already have the passport, but . . . do you think they’d accept MasterCard?”

Quote: “Great works do not always lie in our way, but every moment we may do little ones excellently, that is, with great love.” --St Francis de Sales

“But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are a kingdom of priests, God’s holy nation, his very own possession. This is so you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9 NLT).

“But this precious treasure—this light and power that now shine within us — is held in perishable containers (clay pots), that is, our weak bodies. So everyone can see that our glorious power is from God and is not our own” (2 Corinthians 4:7 NLT).

Previously, we found that for healthy connections and relationships with God and others people, we must know ourselves and value ourselves. Today, we are reminded that we must share ourselves as God shares Himself with us. Giving of ourselves in service to others is a divine directive for all Christians. You have worth and you are worth knowing. You have much to share with others, not the least of which is your personal testimony about your relationship with Jesus Christ.

Some might say, he/she wouldn't want to be friends with me. I have nothing to give them. Listen: If you know Christ, His Spirit lives in you, and you have value and have much to give as you share the treasure of the light of Christ that God has placed in you as one of His “perishable containers” (clay pots). If you don't think you're worth knowing, no one else will. But when you say, "because of Christ, I have much to offer, God will empower and use you. Just say to yourself, “I may not be the smartest or most beautiful or handsome, but I'm special because Christ lives in me and I have something exciting to share.”

We have many different ways to give to people with physical, emotional, or spiritual needs. . Picture, in your mind’s eye, an ordinary clay pot, one with an ugly crack down the side. We are all imperfect and cracked pots (maybe crackpots). But when the light of Jesus is put into a cracked pot, an imperfect vessel, the light shines out through the imperfections. God can use you as a dispensing receptacle of his love/light. That light of life penetrates darkness and touches people out there in the world. You and I may not solve all the problems of the world, but we can make a difference one single life at a time – for that person who is hurting and needs Jesus. Before we can effectively share with others, we must possess the heart of a servant, as Jesus modeled for us in Matthew 20:26-28).

God knows you inside and out, and He loves you and values you as a precious creation. He wants to share His light and love with others through you. He wants you to have a healthy self-image and have healthy relationships with Him and other people. The key to living a victorious Christian life is to discover who you are in Christ.

Love, Jerry & Dotse