Make People Around You Better — Just Like Jesus Does

This week I mourn the death of a woman who in the prime of her life lost a long battle with cancer. Tragically, her husband died over a year ago in his sleep of a massive heart attack. They leave two children.

I find myself asking, “God, how can you let this happen?” But before I finish asking I know the answer. Even though her life was short, Cara’s impact on everyone around her was profound. Cara’s courage and determination inspired anyone who came in contact with her. She made people better. Is it better to live a long life and have little or no impact on others, or to live a short life but light up the life of others?

I think Jesus provides a pretty clear answer. He lived in obscurity for 30 years before he lit up everyone around him for a few brief years. He brought a healing light into the world that made everyone who accepted him a better person. He taught us to love by not looking inward to ourselves but outward to others. He taught us how to make people better and, in the process, make ourselves better. And his work continues today.

How’s your day going today? Are you making people better?

Thanks, Cara, for helping me become a better person. Your brief life had so much meaning!