Always leave a room better than you found it

 

“Don’t sit at home and wait for the mango tree to bring mangoes to you wherever you are. It won’t happen. If you are truly hungry for change, got out of your comfort zone  and change the world.”  Israelmore Ayivor

 One of my first ministry experiences was soon after I graduated from high school. Though I’d never attended camp, I was hired by a camp outside New York City (Bear Mountain) to be a camp counselor. Most of the kids were street-smart kids from the NYC region. It was a baptism of fire. Many of them had not been outside of the city and never into the great outdoors. 

  The name of the camp was Camp Robin Hood. It might as well have been built during the time of Robin Hood. None of the cabins had electricity, just screens for light and air. The bathroom facilities were about 100’ feet up a hill. And there was no way that an elementary-age boy away from home for the first time and in the great outdoors for the very first time was going to make that trek alone in the middle of the night to the bathroom. Guess who else had to make the trek up the hill, flashlight in hand? Sometimes it would be several times in one night with different boys. 

  To give these boys a taste of the great outdoors we always scheduled one overnight camping experience. We truly roughed it with no tents, just sleeping under the stars while warding off what seemed like 10,000 mosquitoes. One thing though that I learned from those camping experiences was: “Always leave a campsite better than you found it.” I believe that’s a good motto for every Christ-follower – “Always leave a room better than you found it.”

  There’s a lot wrong with the world and much to wring our hands over and complain about. To be sure, there are times to speak up. Yet, much of what’s considered “speaking up” is really whining. There’s no shortage of gripers or what John Maxwell calls “missionaries of misery.”

  I’m a long way from there in my own spiritual growth but I long to be like those early disciples. I want to be a godly positive influence, to bring joy and hope. Acts 5 records that after they’d been beaten and released, “Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name.” Or, like Paul and Silas at Philippi. After they’d been falsely accused, beaten, and imprisoned overnight with their feet in the stocks, they were praying and singing hymns to God. 

  How do you keep a man like Paul down? He’s falsely accused, on trial for his life, stuck in a Roman jail cell which was probably little more than a pit in the ground, and yet he writes an entire letter that’s known as “the joy letter,” the book of Philippians. At least 16 times in those four short chapters Paul mentions some form of joy or rejoicing.

  Have you ever noticed that when you’re having a tough time at work, that if you know that you soon have an upcoming vacation, you can have an upbeat attitude? Why? You know that relief is coming and vacation is just around the corner. Until then you can be upbeat and endure. 

  As Christ-followers, we have something so much better than a vacation. We have awaiting us a perfect eternal destination. We’re just here for a short time. Everything that this world can dish out, even the worst fiery blasts of the Enemy are only temporary. It’s how Christ-followers through the ages have endured with joy even in difficult times and horrible suffering. We know it will all be over soon and heaven is waiting for us. 

  So until then, we need to advance His Kingdom here. Whether we’re at work or at home, wherever we are those spaces and places ought to be a little better, a little more gracious, a little more positive because we’re there. We’re bringing with us a bit of heaven. We’re Jesus in our world.

  All of us have a choice every day to either be a thermometer or a thermostat. A thermometer merely reflects the environment and culture that it is in. By God’s grace, we can be thermostats and change the environment and culture we are in for good and His glory.

  God has given each of us a tool of positive construction that we always have with us. We wear it right on our faces. It’s called a smile. Have you ever noticed how contagious a smile is? When someone smiles at you, it’s hard not to smile back. Have you ever been in a sour mood and then someone comes along with a huge smile, some laughter or in a really good mood? Perhaps a baby that just looked up at you and smiled? How did this make you feel? When the person you are talking to or the people that surround you are smiling, you won’t be able to help but smile!

  A smile has special powers. You can calm fear, insecurity, hurt, and anxiety not only in yourself but in those that are experiencing those feelings. The next time someone is feeling sad, scared, nervous, whatever it may be, smile at them and see how this makes them feel! When faces show pain or anger, they’ve lost their smile, so share yours. Rap legend, 2Pac, knew the benefits of smiling. In his lyrics to “Power of a Smile” he raps:

The power of a gun can kill, and the power of fire can burn
The power of wind can chill, and the power of mind can learn
The power of anger, can raise inside until it tears you apart
But the power of a smile, especially yours, can heal a frozen heart.

  A smile is infectious. Give one to your world and the world will often give one back to you. You will brighten the days of those around you and make a difference in their lives… with something as simple as smiling! And if anyone has something to smile about it, isn’t it the people of God? 

  One of the Christian heroes of modern times was Billy Graham. He lived out, “Always leave a room better than you found it.” There was a well-known professional golfer playing in a tournament with President Gerald Ford, fellow golf pro-Jack Nicklaus, and Billy Graham. After the round was over, one of the other pros on the tour asked, “Hey, what was it like playing with the President and Billy Graham?” The pro said with disgust, “I don’t need Billy Graham stuffing religion down my throat!” And with that, he headed for the practice tee. His friend followed, and after the golfer had pounded out his fury on a bucket of balls, he asked, “Was Billy that rough on you out there?” The pro sighed and said with embarrassment, “No, he didn't even mention religion.” 

  Billy Graham never had to say a word to share a testimony for Christ. He left a place better than he found it. How about you? How about me? Are those around us longing for us to leave because we’re so negative? Or do they wish that maybe we would stay just a little longer because we’re joy-bringers? I hope and pray that those who intersect with my life see something different and want to meet my Jesus. How about you?

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address.