Have you ever heard people tell you that your kids will act worse than you did? I can remember hearing this all the time, especially from people that knew me as a child. My parents told me that I wasn’t a bad kid, just very rambunctious. They said I even stood on top of a snorkel mask just to see if it would break. (Sounds like a scientist in the making … my hypothesis was correct.)
I recently heard Bill Lewis at a seminar and he said something that resonates with me; “The man who has confidence in himself will instill confidence in others.” I want you to realize the power of that statement, and it doesn’t have to stop with confidence. Your words and actions give birth everyday because they influence the people around you. Can you imagine the impact if you told every new couple expecting a child, “You’re child will act better than you did.” Might put a new perspective on things.
- What if you could see your children differently than what you’ve been programmed to see?
- What if we saw our kids as greatness in training?
- What if you started seeing the time you put into your relationships as a means to building them up bigger than you?
- Would you be jealous if your student was more recognized?
Recognition holds us back from creating something better than ourselves. We want the glory. We want the fame. We want to help others as long as we can have the spotlight. It’s time to give birth to something greater than ourselves. When you think of a leader, what is the one product that a leader should produce? Is it a follower? I propose that it’s more leaders.
Back to the original quote, the one way you can instill confidence in others is by accentuating what they already have. This also means that you can instill honor, courage, strength, and love. Our words hold much more power than we give them credit. I have resolved to pour life into those around me. Not to distract from the truth but in order to build up and encourage.
Where does God fit in?
“but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then when desire has conceived it gives birth to sin; and sin, when full-grown, gives birth to death.” – James 1:14,15
“The tongue has the power of life and death.” – Proverbs 18:21
We fail to realize how much power lies inside us. When we use that power to carry out our own evil desires, it becomes corrupt. However, when we walk with God on a daily basis and look to him for direction and guidance, He is repeatedly asking us to pour into the lives of others. Bear with me for a couple verses.
“I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these …” – John 14:12
“… it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” – John 16:7
“Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” – Romans 8:17
Christ had the awesome opportunity to have the fullness of the Spirit of God living inside of him. What’s even better is that after the atonement was paid on the cross, we now have the veil that separated us from God removed. Once that happened, Christ’s Spirit was able to be in us. Better than that, Christ himself told us that because of our faith, we would do greater things. (Obviously not for our own glory, but for the Father’s) As a believer in Christ …
- He has sent us his Spirit
- We are co-heirs with Christ
- His Spirit will guide us to do greater things
If you are looking to live and lead by example, then I submit to you that Christ’s example for us sets the tone. If you were to pour into other people’s lives the same kind of dedication that Christ poured into yours, the world would be a very different place … and I believe it will be soon.
What do I do now?
- Thank those that gave birth to you (literally and figuratively)
- Discover your own purpose and what you have to offer others
- Encourage those around you in their purpose and talents
- Don’t seek recognition, but be quick to give to others
- Encourage others to encourage others (what a blessed cycle)
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