It’s fascinating at this time of year watching squirrels scurrying back and forth as they frantically gather and hide food to sustain them over the winter months. Despite their keen sense of smell and excellent memory, it has been said that millions of trees throughout the world are planted by squirrels – they bury nuts and then forget where they have hidden them.
As we live our busy lives running back and forth, as believers what legacy are we leaving behind? Are we seen as people who live for ourselves, moan and complain, caught up in materialism and drama, or are we sharing and scattering the word of God, being His reflection in all that we do to everyone we come across?
In Galatians 5:22-23 we read “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”
Recently two men from our local community were promoted to glory. Both men loved God, they carried the peace of God everywhere they went, they exuberated joy and happiness and they lived out their faith and actively shared it with others. They have left a legacy, an imprint in the community that will be difficult to replace. Only time will tell what is produced as a result of what they have sown into people’s lives. They lived out the fruit of the Spirit in their daily lives, it was evident for all to see.
In his poem “Only One Life”, missionary C.T. Studd wrote:
Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Oh let my love with fervour burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say, “Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;
Only one life, twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
We have only one life and time is short. Let’s make every interaction, every moment, every conversation count for His Kingdom. Let’s do all that we can to uplift our neighbour, speak hope into a family member’s life, come alongside someone in need, bring unity into our communities and throughout this land; allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you! Perhaps you’ll be like the squirrel, you might even forget the encouragement you gave, the prayer that you lifted, even the kindness that you shared but you never know, it may grow into something beautiful someday!
Father, help me today as I step out to be Your witness, to reflect You in all that I do. Help me to live a life that overflows with the fruit of Your Spirit. Lead me in every conversation, and open opportunities to share my faith and the hope that is within me. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.