Does it truly make a difference?

Does it truly make a difference when...

...I talk to the person at the drive-thru about the weather?
...I let a car in front of me that seems to be in a hurry?
...I listen to the grocery clerk talk about how much her back hurts?
...I hold the door open for someone else?
...I put the grocery cart in the spot it belongs?
...I refuse to talk or text on my cell phone when I'm in someone else's company?
...I take the time to tell someone thank-you?
...I get off the computer and play on the floor with my kids?
...I occasionally serve somewhere I'm needed instead of somewhere I love?
...I pray for someone's cat or neighbor or house to sale?
...I choose silence instead of a comeback or opinion?
...I applaud someone else who is in the spotlight I'd like to be in myself?
...I tell someone "You did a great job today"?
...I tell someone the truth in love?
...I examine my priorities and my choices?
...I say "you" in a conversation more than I say "I"?

What do you think makes a difference? Or not?

James 3:13-18 (NIV)
"Who is wise and understanding among you?
Let him show it by his good life,
by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

But if you harbor bitter envy
and selfish ambition in your hearts,
do not boast about it or deny the truth.
Such 'wisdom' does not come down from heaven
but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil.
For where you have envy and selfish ambition,
there you find disorder and every evil practice.

But the wisdom that comes from heaven
is first of all pure;
then peace-loving, considerate, submissive,
full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
Peacemakers who sow in peace
raise a harvest of righteousness."

In the Key of HE,

Life Lyrics

This devo is what determined the theme for my blog. It is a theme that resonates with me repeatedly, and I received more responses from my readers on this one than almost any other devotional. For those of you who don't know, I send out a devo from my lovinthearts website once every week or so (as God inspires me). If you or someone you know would benefit spiritually from receiving these, please click here and enter your email address. http://www.lovinthearts.com/SubscribeForm.html I would love to hear from you!

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If I were to ask you what kind of song your life sings, what would you say? Is the melody upbeat, melancholy, traditional, or patriotic? What do the lyrics speak of? Maybe praise, lament, crisis, joy, pain, depression, truth, struggle, etc.

Just as the number of music genres is astronomical, and the combinations of the songs within those genres are endless, so it is the same with each of our life songs. And the genres and the artists morph over time, producing whole new styles and ways of people expressing themselves. It’s mind-boggling if you think about it. In the same way, we change as a result of our circumstances and our faith working in us; thus, shifting seasons leading to new tunes.

Every time I hear the song Lifesong by Casting Crowns,* it ministers to me, reminding me that all I do and say is my life’s song to the Lord. Sometimes, I mistakenly believe that if my rhythm isn’t upbeat, then it has no value. What God has shown me through the past several years of trials, though, is that it is not as much about the rhythm as it is about the lyrics.

Here’s an example. Throughout many Psalms, David’s tune is upbeat. One can almost hear the cymbals and drums as he sings out, “Praise the Lord, O my soul. All my inmost being, praise His holy name” (Psalm 103). Chapters before that, we hear from the same mouth: “Hear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.” (Psalm 86) Can you see anyone dancing the jig to that ditty? The cool thing is that whether David or any other Psalmist is upbeat, bitter, depressed or ecstatic, they almost always make reference to the Lord’s goodness or sovereignty.

So what about you? Think about the different lyrics your life has sung out to God and to others. Your melody may have had a recent change even as you’re reading this. This theme has been on my heart for awhile now, and it applies to me personally quite perfectly. In the last decade, I’ve walked through a season of incredible miracles, joy, prosperity, strongholds, depression, physical pain, emotional pain, loss and sacrifice. It’s been a roller coaster of emotions, and each one has made its note on the chart of my lifesong.

My prayer for you and for me is that no matter whether the verses to our lives cry or laugh, yell or whisper—that our repeating chorus would be one chiming of faith, hope, love and Truth. Beg Him to help you remember all the situations He has brought you through, all the lessons He has taught you, and all of the ways He has blessed you. In doing so, may it begin a fresh and new refrain within you.

May our life’s lyrics be pleasing to You, our Lord, our Rock and Redeemer, Sustainer and Comforter, Friend and Father—Amen.

“I waited patiently for the LORD;
He turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
He set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
He PUT A NEW SONG IN MY MOUTH,
a hymn of praise to our God…”
Psalm 40:1-3b, NIV

*http://www.castingcrowns.com/site.php