People who Shaped Us
Early this week I had the privilege of teaching a session in the Macau Bible Institute.
The current president of the Macau Bible Institute was my youth pastor when I was a teenager. He was also a great table tennis player – that’s why I faithfully attended youth fellowship! I went to church because I wanted to play with him. My co-teacher that day was the student chairman of the youth fellowship that I attended. He showed me how I could be a teenager and love God at the same time.
As we look back to our life stories, we concluded that it was the people in our lives that shaped who we are today. In a more precise way:
“It was how people treated us, whether good or bad, that helps shape us into who we are today. “
Some people pour their love on us. Some care enough to speak truth to us. Some even chastise us out of their deep love for us. Some people hurt us.
In a similar way, we all have influence. Whether you are a parent, a spouse, a boss, or a friend, we all leave an indelible mark on the lives of people around us, sometimes intentionally, other times unintentionally (and carelessly).
Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit – you choose. Proverbs 18:21, MSG
Words, or the lack thereof, are both messages. What you say and what you do not say could both be heard loud and clear.
In a similar way, what you do and what you do not do could both send important messages.
Reflection Questions:
- Are you a natural critic or an encourager?
- At the end of this year, how would you want other people (your spouse, children, boss, subordinate, friends) to say you treated them?