Voices of Faith: Go ahead: Brighten somebody’s day!

Recently, friends sent the following anonymous quote to me:

“This is the beginning of a new day. God has given me this day to use as I will. I can waste it — or use it for good, but what I do today is important, because I am exchanging a day of my life for it! When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever, leaving in its place something that I have traded for it. I want it to be gain, and not loss; good and not evil; success, and not failure; in order that I shall not regret the price I have paid for it.”

Paul, the apostle, considered himself to be in debt to everybody (Romans 1:14). Others had shared their faith with him so now he felt obligated to return the favor by telling everyone he met about his Lord.

Placed before judges and kings who held the power of life or death over him, he told his story of moving from doubts to belief, enabling him to make a difference in their lives. He was neither fearful nor ashamed to invite others to trust the One who had made him a missionary.

Raising my gaze from this computer screen to the wall above, I see another quote card sent to me long ago by an old friend and respected evangelist. I’ve placed this quote in a conspicuous location that allows its challenge to motivate me every morning.

Do you need a powerful day-starter?

Try the morning motivator and see what it does for you.

“I am only one, but I am one,

I cannot do everything

But I can do something

And what I can do

I ought to do

And by the grace of God

I will do it.”

This enlarger of vision and responsibility has changed my thinking about things I used to consider time wasters or interrupters of my plans. Now I see these as opportunities to lift the discouraged and help people trade their fears for faith.

Long or slow moving lines in stores have become fertile fields in which to sow seeds of encouragement in the minds of people who are hurting, pointing them to the One who loves and comforts those in distress. Even telemarketers have become prospects for peace with God rather than irritants who interrupt my day.

A once popular old hymn said “Brighten the corner where you are.” There are many dark corners in life and they’re often occupied by people longing for light. Each of us has the responsibility to bring them the good news of God’s love.

After all, like Paul, we’re in debt to everybody.

Roger Campbell was an author, a columnist and broadcaster who was a pastor for 22 years. Contact us at rcministry@ameritech.net.

More in Life

Paetyn Wimberly performs “The Christmas That I Know” during the 23rd Annual Christmas Lights and Holiday Nights Skating Recital at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Skating in the park with Santa

The Soldotna Parks and Recreation Department will host another holiday open skate on Tuesday, Dec. 31

AnnMarie Rudstrom, dressed as the Ghost of Christmas Present, reads Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” at The Goods in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Reading of ‘A Christmas Carol’ warms a winter night at The Goods

The full text of the book was read live at the store across two weeks

tease
Baking family history

This recipe is labeled “banana fudge,” but the result is more like fudgy banana brownies

tease
Off the Shelf: Nutcracker novel sets a darker stage

“The Kingdom of Sweets” is available at the Homer Public Library

Nick Varney
Unhinged Alaska: The little tree that could

Each year I receive emails requesting a repeat of a piece I wrote years ago about being away from home on Christmas.

The mouth of Indian Creek in the spring, when the water is shallow and clear. By summertime, it runs faster and is more turbid. The hand and trekking pole at lower left belong to Jim Taylor, who provided this photograph.
The 2 most deadly years — Part 6

The two most deadly years for people on or near Tustumena Lake were 1965 and 1975

Luminaria light the path of the Third Annual StarLight StarBright winter solstice skiing fundraiser at the Kenai Golf Course in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Winter solstice skiing fundraiser delayed until January

StarLight StarBright raises funds for the Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society

File
Minister’s Message: The opportunity to trust

It was a Friday night when I received a disturbing text from… Continue reading

tease
Peanut butter balls for Ms. Autumn

This holiday treat is made in honor of the Soldotna El secretary who brings festive joy

Most Read