Impression

Dear Friend:

If I gave you some colored ink pads, stamps and some paper I would bet you could not help yourself to take them and make some impressions on the paper. You would get those creative juices going and make something for someone. I think just about any of us have those childhood memories of our chances to play with stamps.

As a child we pulled up our sleeves making an impression on paper with our stamps. Making a decision with our minds to create a masterpiece that would be permanent, usually designed for our moms. Peter was a teacher suggesting to his students to make an impression. Take the tools Jesus showed us to be holy. Don’t make a mess with your life as a child could make a mess with ink and get it all over others. Don’t be sloppy and rush to get the art project done. It will end up being just ok instead of blazingly good! If you rushed through a project your mom would say hesitantly “oh honey that’s nice.”

Making a lasting impression needs thought and consideration. Jesus wants to open His arms one day and say without hesitation “you had a life full of energy and blazing with holiness because you chose to make a permanent impression with your life.”

So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that's coming when Jesus arrives. Don't lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn't know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God's life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, "I am holy; you be holy."(1 Peter 1:13-16 (The Message))

PRAYER: Lord help me to make a lasting impression with my life. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Stamping,
Elaine