Have you ever thought about how your actions influence others? We live in a time of great technology. Yet it is a time of struggle and huge choices. Our children watch us. People who know us watch us. People we meet watch us. Imagine a group of churchgoers, all dressed in suits and dresses, going to a restaurant after church, and then treating their server poorly? How would this reflect upon all Christians in this server’s mind?

We tell our children to be truthful, and then we lie about their age to a restaurant to get the reduced rate. We tell them to be nice to others, and then we talk poorly about someone behind their back. We lecture about the importance of paying attention, and then spend too much time looking at our smart phone or texting when our children or significant other is trying to tell us something.

Matthew 5:13-16: You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

This is tough advice to follow sometimes-as many of us would not do well under a spotlight. Good choices can only be made one at a time. As we start to make those good choices, suddenly they become a little easier. People start to notice what we are doing, or what we aren’t doing. Being kind. Being loving, being forgiving. One of the things others often hear me say is, “No worries”. This is good advice, for if we let the little things bother us, they often grow into big things.

One person can make a difference in another’s life. Think about the program, “big brothers or big sisters”, or “toys for tots”; or the Salvation Army toy distribution at Christmas time. How do these programs touch others lives in such a big way? Even the simple act of truly granting forgiveness and acceptance can give peace to another, help their self-esteem, and cause them to grow and blossom.

Moses was a murderer, David was an adulterer, yet God forgave them and was able to use them in mighty ways. Both men regretted their choices, and doubted God’s love and ability to forgive them. In many ways, they are not much different than how we feel sometimes.

So, this week, go out and about like you normally do, however, do something for someone else. Maybe to you it will be small. But it allows you to be a blessing to another, and like a seed that grows that action will ultimately cause other good things to happen. Share your light much like when we have a candle and we light another one. When you do this, everyone benefits and you will find that your simple act can ultimately touch many other people.