Add Value

John 5:19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.”

Do you ever consider how you can add value to the people in your life?

I recently attended a small luncheon. Not only was the food delicious, but the hostess had crafted beautiful favors for each lady and created a clever icebreaker for us to introduce ourselves to one another. Her efforts at providing a cozy, safe atmosphere paid off. We left feeling God had used her to lift us up from our day-to-day challenges.

When I saw her a few weeks later, I thanked her for “adding value” to my life.

Jesus added value wherever he went. He added sight to the blind and health to the sick. His words brought hope to the discouraged and forgiveness to the sinners. He turned plain old water into fine wine and transformed a few fish and loaves of bread into enough lunch to satisfy thousands of people.

Jesus added value because he only did what God directed him to do. If that meant breaking the Sabbath, he did it (John 5:8-9). If it meant washing his disciples’ feet, he did it (John 13:1-17). And if it meant dying on a cross to save us from sin, he did it (Luke 23:44-46). No amount of political, social or religious resistance could keep him from doing his Father’s will.

If we hope to add value to people’s lives, it begins with doing whatever God tells us to do.  One of my friends was sitting in a café the other day when she overheard two women talking about a dilemma one of them was facing. As my friend listened to their conversation, she sensed the Lord prompting her to ask the woman if she could pray for her. And when she finished praying, this woman she’d never met extended her hand and thanked her.

My friend didn’t let her fears of being misunderstood or looking foolish stop her from doing God’s will. And neither must we. Whether praying for a stranger, providing someone with a delicious meal, or washing some dirty feet, let’s not hesitate.

Add value to the people in your life.