Music is a wonderful vehicle for expressing deep thoughts and emotions. A childhood friend and I were reminiscing recently about how rich and meaningful our early church experience was. This was due, in part, to the role that music had played. Over the course of time, the small congregation in our little rural community church essentially sang through our entire hymn book. With much repetition, we could sing — by heart — nearly every verse of those old hymns and gospel songs.
My friend commented on the wealth of theology that was often packed into those songs. Many of them did carry a strong message of hope and encouragement and of God’s grace and faithfulness. Oftentimes, a song gave a strong nudge to spread the good news of salvation to the world around us.
Such was the case with the song, Make Me a Blessing. One line of the refrain, “Make me a blessing to someone today” often comes to mind as I live my life here in the condo community where I now live. Read these words:
1. Out in the highways and byways of life,
Many are weary and sad;
Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife,
Making the sorrowing glad.Refrain:
Make Me a Blessing by Ira B. Wilson
Make me a blessing, make me a blessing.
Out of my life may Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing, O Savior, I pray.
Make me a blessing to someone today.
2. Tell the sweet story of Christ and His love,
Tell of His pow’r to forgive;
Others will trust Him if only you prove
True, ev’ry moment you live.
3. Give as ’twas given to you in your need,
Love as the Master loved you;
Be to the helpless a helper indeed,
Unto your mission be true.
The line, “Make me a blessing to someone today” becomes a frequent prayer as I think about needy people all around me. I know that even a smile or a kind word can make me a blessing to them. Warm conversations with others can also lead to opportunities to “give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” But we are called to “do this with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15b NIV)
We are also encouraged by Psalm 107:2: “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble.” (ESV)
What can we do today to be a blessing to others around us? How can you share the hope that you have experienced?
Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, may our words and actions show Jesus to others around us. As You have blessed us, may we in turn be a blessing to others in our daily lives. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Copyright © 2022, by Gail Lundquist <gail10833@gmail.com>, first published on the PresbyCan Daily Devotional presbycan.ca .
Beaverton, Oregon, USA
Reprinted from PresbyCan with author’s permission