When you wake up each morning to the sweet melodies of birds, how do you feel? When you admire the spectacular spectrum of sunsets, are you awed? When sunlight warms your skin and gentle summer breezes softly kiss you, are you not delighted? Do you not enjoy the fragrance of wildflowers, the sound of ocean waves splashing, the chirps of crickets at night, and the claps of thunders during a heavy storm?
How do all the elements of life reflect the Creator of life? Think about it carefully: "there is no good tree that brings forth rotten fruit; nor again a rotten tree that brings forth good fruit. For each tree is known by its own fruit. For people don't gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings out that which is good, and the evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings out that which is evil" (Luke 6: 43, 44, 45, WEB)
Everything in life is made to be enjoyed by all of our senses, do you not agree? Creations are not only enjoyable, but they also provide for our physical nourishment as well. The Earth produces all kinds of fruits, vegetables, and grains to keep us well-fed and satisfied. So what does this tell us about the Creator of life? Can we not rightfully conclude that our Creator is purely good?
Being made in the image of our Creator, we have the capacity to reflect the goodness of our Heavenly Father to some extent, just as we have the ability to be happy and sad, disappointed and content, angry and pleased, as He.
How do you personally reflect the goodness of God? Do you lend a helping hand whenever you can? Do you treat everyone with equality? Are you happy when you hear of people doing good, and upset when you hear of injustice?
Here is how some folks reflect the goodness of our Creator:
Through serving others:
"I reflect goodness by being of service to others, from helping someone with a speech, a job interview, fixing a computer problem, dealing with health issues, to opening a door, giving a kind word of encouragement, doing volunteer work with teens, and just sitting and listening to someone with my full undivided attention." -Ronald Kaufman, Seminar Leader, Executive Coach, and Author, USA
Through gratitude
"Reflecting the goodness of God is always about a constant attitude of gratitude. It is also about a personal inner conviction of that which is verily right. Trust, total dependency, understanding and faith in God point to ones appreciation of his unchanging love, mercy and grace. Sharing the truth about Gods unflinching love with others, being kind and giving unconditionally also express ones gratefulness. Lastly, being happy and content at all times mirror your absolute appreciation of Gods magnanimity." -Pastor Tele Opakunle, Founder of Zion City Ministries, Prophetic Counselor & Life Coach / Spiritual Activist, USA
By making others happy:
"In all reality, anything that makes one self or another person feel spiritually happy is a reflection of God. I truly believe that I am here on this earth to live happy, to help others be happy, and promote happiness in all walks of life which is showing the presence of God through myself. Being kind to others that are feeling down helps me bring the good spirit back into their life to show them that someone does care." -Eric Woolf, Web Developer, USA
"I am a business owner, so I am exposed to all types of people each day- From the oldest to the youngest- the grouchy to exuberantly joyful. Each person has their bad days, I feel it is my apostolic mission to be sure each person is happier when they leave than before they entered. It's not that difficult!The gift of a tender smile, firm handshake or encouraging word is what I have been given by God to share with others. That includes their four-legged friends too!" -Ginger MacCutcheon, Owner of Ginger Pet House, USA
By helping kids:
"Every day I get the opportunity to give back the abundance that I've received. I was an unruly child, and now teen fans ask me for advice. I've been lucky enough to be able to help kids off of drugs, deal with racism, do better in school, pursue their dreams, and maintain their faith." -Anand Bhatt, Grammy Recognized Musician/Celebrity, USA
By treating others as oneself:
"I am reflecting the goodness of God in my life by being nice to others remembering to treat my neighbor as I would want to be treated. I handle things in life with the knowledge GOD is in control. I am an abuse survivor and lead an encouragement group for abuse survivors in my community." -Dana Rankin, Ordained Christian Minister and Entrepreneur, USA
Through giving:
"To me, every person reflects the goodness of God and does so most fully through giving. The size or substance of the gift is irrelevant, the act itself and the statement it makes are what's important. When we give to one another we make the statement, 'I care about you and I am here for you.' Giving is a commentary on someone's worth, and lets them know that they aren't forgotten but rather in community together. I believe out of giving comes love and within love rests God. This is how I most fully reflect God." -Chase Brumfield, Creator of The Give Project L.L.C, USA
By living a constructive life:
"I reflect the goodness of God in my life by working to live a constructive life of love, understanding, compassion, honor, honesty and humility. God is whole and we are part of that whole. It is a choice to promote His goodness, light and love that is within us. When we do, we become a beacon of light for others, indirectly influencing them to promote these attributes also. In this way, we can help to transform the entire world into a place of love and peace, truly making as Jesus said, 'Heaven on earth.'" -Cindy L. Herb, Inspirational Author/Speaker, USA
By treating others with equality and love:
"God is not a respecter of persons; I try not to be either. My actions must not consider anyones social, economic, or spiritual status. In all things I hope to be authentic, honest, and consistent. Judgment is reserved for behaviors not for individuals. Before speaking or writing I look for love. If it isn't there I try not to speak or publish without further reflection." -Lynn Baber, Christian Writer and Director of Amazing Grays Ministry, USA
Through kindness:
"It isn't about attending church, quoting the Bible, prayer, or belief. Reflecting the goodness of God means to show only kindness to all things. This means being tolerant of those with different beliefs, showing respect and compassion, being patient, forgiving, and being generous. To live in harmony with life is the only thing that truly matters." -Tina Mansfield, USA
By teaching others about the value of each person:
"I reflect the goodness of God in two ways: 1) I teach patients that their bodies are a gift from God, and that taking optimum care of themselves, especially holistically, is an honor to god. 2) I teach doctors that their patients are a gift from God, that each person is God's unique creation, and that patients should never be taken advantage of." -Dr. Tom Potisk, Author
By overcoming evil with good:
"I told [my children] that when other people, even your own family members, behave in a manner that we perceive as evil, we retain the choice to be good, to become who we want to be as people rather than who our enemies would like to force us to become. Your enemies will justify their evil intentions and actions against you if you stoop to their level, and they will continue to harm others. Even when we fail to live up to our own personal ideal, keep trying. Try not to react to the hateful things that other people do. I teach them that in the face of harshness, we can still choose to perform 'random acts of senseless kindness' towards others." -Liora Farkovitz, Strategic Business & Product Developer, USA
By trusting God:
"I personally reflect the goodness of God in my life by not being anxious over anything that happens to me, whether illness, accidents, or storms around me; I have a total sense of peace because of God's presence within me. This, I believe, is reflected to those with whom I come in contact whether face to face, on the telephone, or through e-mails and snail-mail, giving them the blessing of peace, also." -Judith Lawrence, Christian Author, Canada
Through blessings:
"I attempt to greet everyone before they greet me, as they are made in God's image. I smile every chance I get, because the world is full of blessings. And I make blessings on every piece of food that goes in my mouth, and on my shoes in the morning, and for my eyes, and my wits, as long as I have them!" -Alexander Seinfeld, Writer and Teacher, USA
Through music:
"When I was a little girl The Lord put it in my heart that I would be part of a global network that would help heal the world through music. I didn't really understand it but I now realize it was His hand guiding my life. I spent years on the road all over North and South America talking about the Truth of Jesus Christ. During these years I was given hundreds of songs about the life of Christ, faith, and living in His kingdom. Performing them has given me the opportunity to share my hearts songs with multitudes." -Kris Miller, North American Country Music Award Winner, Grammy Nominee, Singer/Songwriter, Certified Senior Advisor, USA
Through advocacy:
"I reflect the Goodness of God through my breast cancer advocacy. As a three year survivor of stage III breast cancer at the age of 35, my story is one of hope, faith and renewal. Every time I share my journey with someone, I am fulfilling God's purpose in my life." -Crystal Brown-Tatum, President An Award-Winning Public Relations Consultant, Crystal Clear Communications
"I personally reflect the goodness of God in my life as The Chief of Helping People of Harold Says by being an advocate for others. My God centered outlook enables me to reflect the goodness of God living with 2 brain tumors. I use the same approach to help my family and people from around the world. When it comes to dealing with people's concerns as well as the deepest human needs, wants and desires I've learned through God's help how to bring about change in my own life, my family's lives as well as the lives of people worldwide." -Harold Cameron, Chief of Helping People, Consumer/Corporate Advocate, HaroldSays, USA
Through business positivity:
"As Dr. Appreciation, I reflect the goodness of God by:
1. Radiating positive energy, strategies, appreciation, hope and possibility in networks where clients/business owners are frightened.
2. Posting optimistic positive leadership messages on social network sites, powerful positive tips & answers when others need help.
3. Asking the angels to dance through me when I dance to uplift others who watch.
4. No matter how tough things are, I bring joy and hope to others. My broker called, saying how positive I am even after market losses and how I walk my positive leadership talk. It helps me!
5. Positive prayer daily for U.S. economy and spirit.
6. Creating positive uplifting appreciative books, e-books, audios." -Linne Bourget, Ph.D, "Dr. Appreciation"
Through encouraging others:
"I personally reflect the goodness of God in my life by encouraging others daily with a positive word. I also try to help others become better and share with them opportunities for success." -Derrick Hayes, Writer/Speaker, USA
Through the fruit of the Holy Spirit:
"When I am faced with hate, I offer love. When someone feels joy, I rejoice with them. When I hear of war, I pray for peace. When trials drag on, I find my strength. When someone is harsh, I react with kindness. When someone wrongs me, I offer them goodness. When someone feels weak, I offer my faith." -Elaine K. Stephen, Christian Work-at-Home Mom, Sole Proprietor of the Inspirational Gift Gallery, USA
Key to Reflecting the Goodness of God
The key to reflecting the goodness of God lies in Elaine's response above: the fruit of the Holy Spirit. The fruit is the quality God wishes to develop in each person, and it consists of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, and self-control. However, we cannot fully develop the fruit on our own. Thus, if we desire to reflect the goodness of God to its fullest extent, we must allow Jehovah to develop this fruit in us by having faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. (Faith equals love, so that means loving Jesus.) Jesus said: "Remain in me, and I in you. As the branch can't bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you, unless you remain in me. I am the vine. You are the branches. He who remains in me, and I in him, the same bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:4-5, WEB)
If you trim off a branch from a fruit tree, that branch will no longer be fruitful. But if you graft the branch back onto a fruit tree, that branch will again be productive. Likewise, as mere branches, we do not have the power to perfectly reflect the goodness of God. We need a potent life force to help us do so, and that is Jesus.
Do you want to be like your Heavenly Father and reflect His pure goodness? Then you must be grafted onto Jesus! Need grafting procedures? No problem, just e-mail me, and I'd be more than glad to lead you to perfect grafting.
Shirley Cheng (b. 1983), a blind and physically disabled award-winning author (with 26 book awards, including nine Parent to Parent Adding Wisdom Awards), motivational speaker, self-empowerment expert, poet, author of nine books (including "Do You Love Jehovah? God Almighty's Infinite Love & Wisdom to Propel You to Greatness"), contributor to 22, and a parental rights advocate, has had severe juvenile rheumatoid arthritis since infancy. Owing to years of hospitalization, she received no education until age eleven. Back then, she knew only her ABCs and very simple English; other than that, her book knowledge was non-existent. However, after only about 180 days of special education in elementary school, she mastered grade level in all areas and entered a regular sixth grade class in middle school. Unfortunately, Shirley lost her eyesight at the age of seventeen. After a successful eye surgery, she hopes to earn multiple science doctorates from Harvard University. Visit http://www.shirleycheng.com for more inspiration.
Do you have questions about the Bible? Something you don't understand? Do you need a bit of guidance in developing a relationship with Jehovah? Then Shirley would like to help you! Please contact her via her site at http://www.shirleycheng.com and she would be more than glad to do her best to answer your questions! Never hesitate to ask questions, for no question about the Bible is ever too small or stupid.
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