You’ve got the power. Dnnrrr da dnnnr. Dnnr da dnnr. No that’s not my son trying to blog again. That’s the beat to the incredibly catching song from the one hit wonder, 1990’s, rap group, Snap. That song actually contains the lyrics “Oh snap” and has, in my opinion the best dancing, with the hands still in the pockets, in the history of the world. What? You don’t know? Well, your butt better ask somebody…or just watch the video below…
Okay, now that we are all on the same page let’s continue. You’ve got the power and now you’ve got that song stuck in your head. You are welcome. It’s gettin’, it’s gettin’, it’s gettin’ kind of hectic. Oh snap.
Think about how your words and actions can totally make or break someone’s life. That’s power. Think about how you have been built up or destroyed by someone else’s words or actions. That’s power.
I’ve counseled multiple people who carried wounds with them for years. They were set free by the right words said at the right time. I’ve seen marriages turned around even after an affair. I’ve seen parents forgiven even though they’ve dropped the parental ball on their kids. I’ve seen God move in people’s lives because the right word or action.
If I was Jesus I would have come up with a different plan. What’s Jesus’ plan? You. No offense.
Here’s the scene, Jesus has come back from the grave. His followers think that He’s finally going to set up His kingdom and start ruling. And what does Jesus do? He peaces out. He leaves. He goes back to Heaven. But before He left He said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV).
Okay, did you catch His plan? Jesus’ plan was that a group of followers would represent Him. His plan is that we would be the hands and feet of God. That we would change the world through His spirit. Now that’s power. Oh snap! We can change someone’s life by our words and actions.
You don’t know what your kind word will do to someone. You don’t know what your gift will do for someone. You don’t know what your prayers will do for someone. You don’t know how your blog post will impact someone. You don’t know how your refusal to let go of God despite difficult situations will encourage someone. Live for Jesus, and love people, and you watch how God changes lives. That’s power!
Jesus trusts that you will represent Him well. You’ve got the power.
What is one thing that you do that God can use to bless someone else’s life?
Rob, I try to live a compassionate life with my team at work. Most of them don’t know Christ. I don’t beat them up, but try to demonstrate His love in front of them.
Larry, you might be the only Jesus that they know. Keep living for Jesus around those guys. I work at a church so everyone I work with is a Christian. You have a chance for great influence.
Dancing with hands in pockets. I did not know that was even possible. Thanks for the reminder.
Daniel, I fully expect to you see you doing this in the near future.
I read your blog every morning and it’s my daily reminder to act right. Eyes are always watching and I need to live as I speak.
Scott, thank you so much for reading! It means a lot to me!
Having the good fortune to have health and a job allows me the blessing of giving. I do not know how my tithes and offerings are used, but by faith in God’s system of tithing, I believe it makes a difference, and I am blessed by making it a part of my faith.
Mim, well since you go to the church I work at some of your tithes and offerings go towards providing for your kid and family. Smile.
My wife and I have seen an opportunity to make meals for people – so we’re trying to take advantage of that and bless people when we have the chance.
Dustin, that’s HUGE! I think that’s a great example for your kids as well.
Last paragraph covers my weariness…
Thanks for the reminder & the words of encouragement!
Amber, my pleasure. I’m living this too. That’s where this post came from.
Not tricking someone into watching that video would be a huge blessing. What if a poor homeschooled child mistook Snap for the Black Eyed Peas and started dressing and dancing that way?
Great post. It seems when we catch the true weight of the plan Jesus has handed off to us, it will cause us to run into the arms of the Holy Spirit, cuz He is the power!
Dressing and dancing like that would be better than emulating the Black Eyes Peas in any way. Pretty much anything short of criminal activity is better than emulating anything the Black Eyes Peas do.
Burrill, you are really funny!
Tim, you bring up a good point. Maybe I should have a parental home school warning on my site.
🙂 Hilarious… I would homeschool my future kids if it meant they could pull off that hands-in-pockets-dance.
Sometimes I can be an encouragement to someone else not just by my words, but by my willingness to invest my time in their dream. By being willing to help or just be there, it shows that someone believes in them. This comes around when kids have plays or recitals they ask me to attend, or when people at church have a project or presentation they want to do and need some help or ideas.
Words of encouragement are great. I just think the power of words is maximized when there’s action behind them.
TJ, I agree. I tried to say words and actions throughout the post. It’s so true.
Oh, wow. You sure did talk about words and actions. I think I need to catch up on some sleep. Yay for Christmas vacations! =)
I try to control everything I say so that it is pure truth, even if I really want to lie (flowery speech helps a lot).
READ THIS NEXT PART.
DEAR ROB, TODAY MY SCHOOL HAD AN ASSEMBLY ABOUT RACHEL’S CHALLENGE. I WOULD LIKE YOU TO DO A BLOG POST ABOUT THIS, i’LL GUEST POST IF YOU WOULD LIKE ME TO.
Sorry about the “all caps” but I needed to make sure I got your attention.
Sean, I read every comment and the bold def got my attention. Is that Rachel from Columbine?
Yes, we had an assembly today about it and it was absolutely inspiring.
…that was the last straw…
This phrase often appears in stories to describe the moment when a person is pushed over the edge. Some event or dialogue tipped the scales for the individual and sent them careening down a path of destruction, sometimes physical, always psychological, often times both.
I don’t ever want to be, either by deed or by word, that last straw for someone else. Instead I want to treat each encounter as though I may be the only human interaction that person might have and, as such, their only glimpse of Jesus.
Randal, so true. I want to be the first straw that draws people to healing and to God.
One thing I try very hard to do is live what I believe. I don’t want to say one thing and do another. I am so grateful for the leaders at WEC for the way they lead by living it out 🙂 Thanks Rob!
Kim, thank you. I praise God that He uses us to make a difference for Him.
I have listened this song.Its a nice one..I also saw this video..Cool video it is..thanks