MAKE ME A BLESSING

Recently I saw a handicapped man from our church who was going through more health tests.  I had been praying for him.  So I stopped to spend a few minutes with him, asking about his tests and how he was doing.  Unfortunately, the results still weren't back so he really could not give me any update.  I reminded him that I was praying for him and then I moved on to meet some responsibilities that I had.  I really didn't think anymore about our brief conversation.  But then, a few days later, I was surprised to receive an e-mail from this gentleman.  He wrote just to thank me for taking time to talk to him.  He said that I had been a blessing to him.  I was really taken back because I didn't think that I had done anything special.  But apparently I had been an encouragement and blessing to him.  A day later, on the radio, I heard this week's hymn choice.  I hadn't heard it or sung it for many years.  But its message hit home. "Out in the highways and byways of life, many are weary and sad; Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife, making the sorrowing glad."  I was reminded of how easy and important it can be to be a blessing to those who are weary and sad just by just doing something as simple as taking a little time listening to them. Many years ago the Lord promised Abraham, "I will bless you … and you shall be a blessing" (Gen. 12:2). We are called, as believers, to be a blessing to others. But we can only give to them out of the resources the Lord has provided for us. He blesses us, and by that means we are equipped to be a blessing to others. George Shuler and Ira Wilson were roommates at Moody Bible Institute in 1924.  At the Institute, they combined their talents and gave the world this beautiful song of consecration. Wilson wrote the lyrics and Shuler the music.  At first the song was rejected by music publishers, so Shuler had one thousand copies printed to distribute on his own. One fell into the hands of George Dibble, an outstanding singer who was at that time music director for the International Sunday School Convention in Cleveland, Ohio. Dibble asked for permission to use the song and it was granted. Soon people everywhere were singing the song, and publishers were wanting to distribute copies.  Between the time Ira Wilson wrote the lyrics and the time the song began to be so well known, Wilson apparently forgot that he was the author!  Until he died, he never remembered that he had written these famous words.  The words are powerful and should remind us daily of our need to encourage others and to be a blessing to them.  What a wonderful ministry.  This hymn would be a great prayer for us to begin every day.  "Make me a blessing to someone today."

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.

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, every moment you live. 

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.

3      Give as 'twas given to you in you need,

Love as the Master loved you;

Be to the helpless a helper indeed,

Unto your mission be true. 

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.

Listen to it here.   LISTEN