One of the greatest compliments you can receive is to see the reflection of yourself in someone else. The reflection that mirrors your life is God-focused. The reflection that empowers others to be the best they can be!
This reflection enables others to live their best life and I see it played out in so many daily scenarios…
Parents set their children free by providing them with a powerful set of life lessons through modeling, teaching and resources of love, grace and forgiveness when needed.
Friends set their friends free through acceptance, support, listening intently and laughter. Becoming able is a gift friends give to each other.
Teachers set their students free by providing a skill set that gradually releases the support to empower students to take ownership. This gift allows students to grow and expand their learning to be able to grow into amazing adults.
We all set others free by letting those we come in contact with know they are loved, they matter and they have potential to be someone special. Our words and actions enable others to “be able” to live a life of Christ.
While reading 2 Corinthians 9:8 recently, the message spoke of “being able” because of God – it all starts with Him – His grace and His sufficiency.
The ESV version lays out the verse in this way –
8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
2 Corinthians 9:8 ESV
The Message version extends the words further and points out that God gives us something we can then give away. God makes us able so we can then build into others to be able to live the life we are called to live.
8-11 God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you’re ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As one psalmist puts it,
He throws caution to the winds,
giving to the needy in reckless abandon.
His right-living, right-giving ways
never run out, never wear out.
This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God. 2 Corinthians 9:8-11 Message
We are able because of Christ. This gift was meant to be shared to empower others to “be able”.
There is no greater power than to be the mirror that reflects God’s love to others! How will you use this super power today? Will you share God’s gift of “able” with others and enable them to do the same?
Blessings,
Mary
I am still counting to remind myself that I am truly blessed. Linking up this year with Ann Voskamp’s 2014 Joy Dare. Find the link up at A Holy Experience. Counting blessings daily will bless you immeasurably! JoyDare #492 and still counting…
Follow me on Twitter to count my daily blessings with me! @MaryGeisen #JoyDare #1000gifts
Some of my favorite blessings during this time:
- My car waiting to not start until I made it to the repair place
- God has my heart and my story
- Being called “mom” is the greatest gift – even if your sons are grown
- Gift of another school year in the books
- Blessing of summer vacation to relax and unwind
Please check out these wonderful blogs that I am blessed to be linking with:
Thanks for sharing your sweet wisdom with us at Make A Difference Mondays! Have a great weekend, Mary!
Sybil, I appreciate you stopping by! Your presence is a great encouragement to me. Happy week to you!
I loved your list of scenarios, Mary! Great application! Have a blessed week!
June, blessed you stopped by and praying your week is blessed with many God-filled moments.
We really were on the same wavelength this week, Mary! But then, it’s no surprise that I would resonate with you! It’s always encouraging to visit your place as well, my friend! Thanks for linking and giving a shout out on FB. I really appreciate it and YOU!
I was so excited that I actually was awake when your link up went live! Yes we seem to have a lot in common and for that I am thankful. As always blessed you stopped by to say”hi”!
“We are able because of Christ.”
So much awesome in this one sentence!
I’m bad at regularly commenting, but I do so enjoy what you write, Mary. I can tell that your heart is to encourage others and proclaim the Gospel with boldness. May God bless you!
You dear, Marie set me free by stopping by and encouraging me! I do hope to encourage others and I love that you recognized that. Anytime you stop by is a blessing!
He is able…therefore we are. Have you heard the hymn “He Is Able?” Great words in a beautiful melody.
Yes Karen, He is Able!I will definitely have to check out that song! Praying for you today that God covers you with healing strength.
What beautiful thoughts of the way we serve those we love and set them free. Thanks for sharing and linking up to Testimony Tuesday, Mary!
Don’t you love the image of “setting free”? It portrays beautifully how we can build into people but as they reach their potential or deeper understanding, we then set them free. All of this is perfected and blessed by God! Your encouragement is so appreciated! Thanks, friend!
I am able, because He is able and He lives in me! So encouraging. Thank you!
You’re welcome! So blessed you stopped by and left this encouragement! Praying that God continues to teach you that “you are able” and He is willing to walk through all with you – the hard and the easy! Blessings, Barbie!
Setting free! What a delightful criteria for doing relationships well! No tight-fisted grasp, no clinging vines ….
Setting free is an image that I use a lot. When working with students it is my job to set them free to the next grade. When thinking of my sons, it is my honor as their mom to prepare them and set them free as they become adults and leave home. Both are only enabled with the help of God! Thank you for your encouragement and for stopping by, Linda! Blessings!