Every one of us has special people in our hearts. They have taught us different things, or done things for us that meant a lot. Maybe someone taught you to ride a bike, or did something fun with you one day when you were home sick from school. Whatever it was, you remember them for little things. But, there’s always a special someone who each of us should remember for big things, too.
Such a person really shows what faith, love, and all those wonderful things mean. Take Jay Bell’s father. Bell was an All-Star shortstop for years, for a number of major league teams. I remember in one Baseball Digest, he was quoted as saying his father was his hero, because he was the best example of Jesus Christ he’d ever seen.
Not everyone has that kind of role model, but everyone should. You can be that person. God wants you to be that person. If you trust Him to, He will give you the ability to be that special someone who another person says, “I’d never be where I am without them. They made me what I am.” What a wonderful, rewarding thing to hear!
Steve Green wrote a lovely, moving song called “Find Us Faithful.” It talks about how our love and devotion can lead others to believe, can inspire them. What will you leave behind? If it is a legacy of faith, then you will have earned great rewards in Heaven, based on how you lived your life.
That’s what building your treasure in Heaven is all about. It’s about giving. It’s about being that one who showed love and compassion and mercy when the world seemed so rough and others so unforgiving. It’s about being like that Shunammite woman, strong in the faith. She was willing to give of herself to make sure the man of God, Elisha, was refreshed.
Near the end of his life, the Apostle Paul remembered a man who had done that. His name was Onesiphorus. All we know of him is found in 2 Timothy 1:16-18. He had helped and encouraged Paul at Ephesus, and again in Rome, when Paul was in prison and about to be killed for his faith. In fact, at a time when it was probably dangerous to be an associate of Paul’s, when many others had fled, Onesiphorus diligently sought him out. It’s as if he went from prison to prison, looking for his friend.
His actions were so memorable that the Holy Spirit saw fit, through the Apostle Paul, to mention what he did. How much greater will it be to have the Lord Jesus Christ Himself saying to you, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant,” after you’ve led siblings, maybe eventually parents, maybe friends, to the Lord?
You may think you don’t have many great gifts, but that doesn’t matter. The same Jesus who took five loaves and two fish and fed thousands can take what you offer and make you a great leader. If for no other reason than to be the one they remember, take the lead. The Lord will work with you to help His goals become your goals, too. As my pastor, Dr. Mike Frazier, likes to say, the only ability He is looking for is availability.
Are you ready to see how you can fix your broken home, and become that great leader for the Lord? Read on!
