Every Action Counts

I have watched children grow up in wonderful families. Their parents have sacrificed so much to help and support them and teach them new skills. I have seen these same kids that have been given so much turn their backs on their parents as if they were an inconvenience. I have seen adults at their workplace that have been taken under the wings of a boss that have immediately run to a new, higher paying job without any regard for the mentoring and encouragement that they received. Sometimes we are so focused on ourselves that we miss how much our actions can impact others. I read an interesting quote today, “One tree can produce a million matchsticks. One matchstick can burn a million trees. You can spend years of being good to people, but one wrong move can make them forget all you did.” I don’t know about you, but this really makes me think. We sometimes forget how powerful one in a million can be. Think of how long that tree took to be able to produce them. Each matchstick has the opportunity to burn bright. Each matchstick might be used for a different purpose... one might light the stove or barbeque, one might light the campfire, one might light a birthday cake, and so on. Just as one might help in wonderful ways, one can also create great harm. When a forest fire burns, no one is thinking of how many matches won’t be made, but rather how much damage that one match has done. We are called to shine brightly wherever God places us. Not everyone will be a preacher, missionary, or Sunday School teacher. Your light may burn differently, but we need to burn as brightly as we are able. If you work with others, let them see Christ in you. If your job is serving others in some way, shine brightly where you have been planted. If you are retired, don’t let that light burn out. It is true that one negative thing can erase many positive things, but that is not an excuse to stop trying. If, for a time, your light burns low and you say or do something that will cause others to stumble or question faith, be the first one to apologize and ask for forgiveness. It is our silence and pride that are often the fuel that causes the fire to become destructive. Actions have consequences, so think about what you should be doing. Lord, I am prone to sinning in ways that may hurt others. Give me grace and strength to take responsibility of my actions. Amen