Do you know what you carry with you wherever you go?

I have three amazing daughters. My 3 year old is notorious for walking up to complete strangers in the grocery store, park, or pretty much anywhere we go, and introducing herself and then asking, “What’s your name?” It is amazing how peoples’ faces change, the incredible smiles that break out and the conversations that follow as a result of her friendliness. I have seen it over and over…her joy and who she is becomes contagious.

I believe that one action, one choice, can alter the course of a person’s day, what is happening in a classroom, or even in a city.

Lately I have been praying that more students, leaders, and even myself would realize what we carry. We have been given a living hope that we are called to release in the places He has put us and given us influence.

1 Peter 1:3-4 says:

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you.

This living hope and inheritance that has been freely given to us is also meant to be freely given! The resurrection of Jesus proclaimed to the world that salvation, hope, healing, freedom, joy and so much more is now available to all despite sin or our past.

This means that once you have received this gift you now carry that same hope, healing, freedom and joy with you! It’s part of who you are. It’s something so tangible that can be infused into your conversations, how you interact with people, look at them, pray for them, and love them. It is so real that when others encounter it it becomes contagious! You don’t have to work it up, but you can give it away because it’s been given to you.

Proverbs 15:30 says:

A cheerful look brings joy to the heart,
and good news gives health to the bones

You have something unique to give away based on your testimony. How it is released may look different for each person. It could start with something as simple as a cheerful look or good news, but your life could release a chain reaction of joy, hope and healing today…that is contagious!