What words would people use to describe you?
I'm certain we all have a list of adjectives we would at least hope used to characterize us. Popular choices that come to mind are: competent, charismatic, creative, intelligent, and attractive. Certainly these are noble aspirations, and deviation is a given across any population, but what is the list we should be striving for? What are the characteristics that should underpin our approach to life? And to what end? Peter addresses this topic Chapter 3.
“Summing up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless—that’s your job, to bless. You’ll be a blessing and also get a blessing.”
The basis of Peter's answer to the question above is for us to be kind, caring, loving, forgiving people filled with humility. Weighing those personality traits alone, it's difficult to disagree that those are valuable. However, they run contrary to what might be considered the traditional recipe for success in this life: being aggressive, uncaring, and even self-promoting. Instead, Peter encourages us to bless the people around us with our lives, not just ourselves.
And he goes a step further to provide us with the 'why': to be a blessing. 'Being a blessing' is not a topic regularly explored and I think it bears contemplation. I start with the question: Do the people around me consider me a blessing? I'm not talking about something mystical, simply are the lives of the people we are close to better because of us? To some of these people you are no doubt a blessing. Likely those closest to you. But what happens as the circle expands? Do people still feel the same way about you? Or does the perception start to wane? I think we could all move a step closer to the ideal of being blessing to all we encounter. Although failure appears inevitable, it certainly seems to offer a more pleasant world.
Have a great week and be sure to share with a friend.
-the contrary disciple