Good morning from Westminster, MD!
In my last post (What Are You Known FOR), I presented the question, “Are you known more for what you are “for” or what you are “against”?” I shared how I had first heard this question at my church in the context of being a church know for what it is FOR. Then I asked what it would look like to live life that way on a daily basis and what kind of impact it would have on the world.
To make a long story short, I believe the impact would be profound. It would not be easy, but I believe we would all be better off for it. So, how do you live this out on a daily basis? I will dig a little further into this question today.
From a practical standpoint, living a life that is known for being FOR others is going to look a little different for each person. This means I can’t provide a step-by-step process, but I can provide some ideas to help you apply it to your life. As I said in the last post, it starts with being honest about how you see people and being intentional about seeing them as fellow creations of God who are as valuable as you are. The truth is this isn’t easy and is probably a life-long growing opportunity. However, making the choice to pursue it will increase your self-awareness and ability to self-correct when you get off track.
While it starts with how you see others, it doesn’t stop there. The truth is actions are how you prove what you really believe. To be known more for what you are FOR, you have to demonstrate it. This could start pretty close to home. Are there people in your family who need to know you are FOR them? How about friends or neighbors? Identify people who are close to you (always consider if it is safe and wise for you to interact with them) who might need to know someone believes they have value.
What could you do to show them that you are FOR them? Could you write them a note reinforcing their God-given potential and worth? Could you visit an elderly neighbor or family member who might feel forgotten? Could you make someone a meal or assist with a project around their house? The goal is to demonstrate in a practical sense that you can see them and desire the best for them. Remember, this doesn’t mean you agree with them or condone everything they do. This isn’t the measure God uses to determine if He is FOR us. He loves us in the middle of our brokenness and sees beyond it to who we were created to be. The same can be true for us. In fact, by demonstrating you are FOR someone, you could help that person take a step forward in their life.
Many of the same principles apply when it comes to showing people in your community that you are FOR them. Give thought to people in your community who could benefit from being reminded someone is FOR them. The reality is you could probably say “everyone” but there might be particular people who come to mind. Are there groups of people who are marginalized in your community? Are there people who are going through a particularly hard stretch in life? Are their people who are underappreciated? These are just a few questions to help you get started.
Now, I think it is often wise to ask what gifts, resources, and experiences you bring to the table that could benefit someone else. This shouldn’t limit the way you can demonstrate that you are FOR people in your community, but it could identify a way that you can uniquely do it. For example, you may have a background in education and could serve at an under-resourced school or teach English as a Second Language at a community center. In my case, I have been able to use my background in business and leadership to show people in Nicaragua that I am FOR them through opportunity creation. It could also be as simple as donating to something or a one-time volunteering opportunity.
There are also many general ways to demonstrate you are FOR the people of your community. Currently, mental health is a significant issue in our world. Is there way that you could come alongside someone who is struggling with anxiety or depression to remind them that they matter and are loved? Could you serve at a food distribution center that is focused on helping families who are going through a season of food insecurity? Is there an event you could attend geared toward a group of people who could use a reminder that someone is FOR them such as our friends with special needs? There is no shortage of options.
In the end, the key to living out a life that is known more for what you are FOR is intention. We as humans have a tendency to drift toward complacency and comfort. These two places will rarely lead to a life defined by what you are FOR. Instead, it will require be intentional about taking steps to demonstrate that FOR is your strategy for winning. The good news is your life, and the world will be better FOR it!
James Belt
Click here for more resources to help you bring hope to others, including more information about my book, Hope Realized!
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