THE BEST GIFT you can give to someone, whether friend or stranger, is the gift of being a good example.
Many of us are clueless of the unspoken influence we have over people’s lives. We don’t recognise how many people watch us, listen to us and shape their decisions, actions and courses based on what we display and communicate by our lifestyles. As a result, many of us have led many to the path of sinners; the council of the ungodly, the seat of the scornful, the halls of iniquity, the courtyard of deceit and the table of addiction and greed. Am I saying we are responsible for the actions and decisions others make? No, but we are responsible for the examples we present to them, which knowingly or unknowingly shape and influence their actions and decisions.
We function and operate as if we are archipelagos separated from the mainland. If we claim we are members of the Kingdom of God, then we are one body. Although we have individual functions with unique gifts and measures of grace, we exist to be blessings to each other and to make the body function well.
The thing in which you are apart of is more important than the individual part you play. The good the hand does, benefits the stomach. The good the feet does benefits the heart. The good the neck does, benefits the eyes and so on. What good is an eye, if the eyelids are bad? What good are hands if the nerves are bad? What good is the body if the soul is corrupt? What good is a back if the spine is bad? What good am I to you if I live in darkness?
1 John 1:5-7 says, “. . . God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another . . . .”
Some believe that fellowship is only with Jesus but I believe that fellowship is also between brothers and sisters in Christ. What is key to note here is the connection between “walking in the light” and “fellowship”. Being a good example is consistent with “walking in the light”.
Take it from me; someone is watching you and the example you present will either be a curse or a blessing to them. Never base your influence on solely what you know because your knowledge and reach is limited.
Take, for example, as I was getting out the car at the gas station, a lady walks up to me and greeted me. She said, “Corey, I don’t ever comment on your Facebook posts but every single morning I get up and the first place I go is to your page for encouragement and inspiration.” I have learnt over the past two years that she is not the only one. It just goes to show that I have a part to play in the destiny of others and whether you believe it or not, so do you.
I encourage you, do not make permanent decisions based on temporary experiences; you could destroy your inheritance and future. If you read Genesis 25:27-34 you will see evidence of this.
Esau sold his birthright to Jacob because of a temporary feeling of hunger. We all know that hunger wears off eventually. What made this situation worse is that after he sold his birthright because he was hungry, there was a famine in the land, which meant his hunger had multiplied shortly after. Basically, he forfeited his inheritance to quench his hunger to be rewarded with greater hunger.
Esau’s temporary experience was hunger; discern what is yours and be wise. That decision alone may be what leads you to a blessing or a curse.
I conclude with Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good [examples], and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
Your example is your gift, and it does matter.
On another note, I am back safely from Nigeria. Thanks for all the emails and prayers of support.
• Corey Worrell, a former Commonwealth youth ambassador, is director of C2J Foundation Inc., a project-based NGO focusing on social development. Email: coreyworrell@gmail.com
