Our lives and our actions are of great impact to those around us. We don’t fully understand how a simple act can affect someone else’s life or realize how important everyday encounters are. Going grocery shopping, pumping gas, smiling at the stranger walking past us, or saying good morning-- if we smile or if we frown, if we are understanding or judgmental, or if we are patient rather than rude. Meaningless things to a lot of us, but to others it can mean so much more than that.

As chosen people, we have a greater responsibility to be a light to the world and to always radiate the light of God to everyone around us. Instead, the things we believe are meaningless can be ways in which we as believers can spread the love God inside of us to the rest of the world. Here is a list of ways in which you can magnify God in your everyday life and make Him visible to the rest of the world:

1. Be Joyful

Have joy, be joy, spread joy. It can be difficult to be joyful at times when the circumstances we are standing in are depicting the complete opposite, but in my own experience even when we are feeling down and the situation is difficult, choose joy. Choose to smile through the situation, and remember Gods plan is bigger than our own. It is unbelievable how your joy through a difficult time can help and alleviate someone who is also facing a difficult time. Look up and smile, let others see where your joy and trust come from.

“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” (John 15:11-12, New International Version)

2. Be Kind

Be generous, be empathetic, be gracious. You never know what someone else could be dealing with, the wounds or burdens they are carrying. Kindness is the most selfless act— giving to someone without expectations. Spread kindness to everyone around you, always care in the little things, and give from the bottom of your heart.

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32, NIV)

3. Be Optimistic

Through the negative and the hardships, choose to be optimistic and look at the brighter picture. Choose to see the bigger picture God is painting. Your optimism will help those who are having a hard time in the dark to see the light at the end of the tunnel. To be optimistic is to be hopeful- to be hopeful is to have faith. Share that.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, NIV)

4. Be Understanding

Don’t be judgmental, critical, or argumentative. Try to see the other side of the situation and walk in someone else’s shoes to see their point of view. By being understanding, you are showing support to someone who could be in need. It is wise to be understanding; give yourself the opportunity and open your heart to a different situation in hopes to help someone else for the better.

“My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding…” (Proverbs 2:1-2, NIV)

5. Be Patient

Don’t rush, don’t over stress about the uncertain, instead be patient and be confident. Your patience will show others you believe all things work for the better purpose. Also, be patient with people -- don’t push them or hasten. Give time for things to come at their own pace, and for people to develop a true and honest bond with you. Patience is a virtue.

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:2-3, NIV)

6. Be Honest

There is a fine line between being honest and being mean. Choose what is right and do what God would do. Be honest, true, and pure of heart. Don’t confront a situation with an evil spirit, but be honest with your actions and always have the best intentions. People will appreciate your transparent heart and be grateful for your true self.

“To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.” (Proverbs 21:3, NIV)

7. Be Thoughtful

Consider others and the needs they might have. Be the person you would want to have beside you if you were in a similar situation. Care for others; be responsive in a time of need. Give what you can, be supportive, and always lend a hand. This can change so much in someone’s day.

“Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (Luke 6:31, NIV)

8. Be Loving

Always, share love. Be loving to everyone and in everything. Love speaks volumes, and love trumps hate. There is power in love and with love comes unity. If anything, love is more of what our world and humanity need. Spread love, be love, speak love. Love the unlovable, and love like Christ does. Love is the strongest force in the universe, and God has fully equipped our hearts with it.

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:7-8, NIV)

Joy, Kindness, Optimism, Understanding, Patience, Honesty, Thoughtfulness, and Love; these are all characteristics that are key. Be more of each of these day after day. Represent God with your actions, and you will magnify His presence in the life of others. We are capable of expressing all of these in our daily lives, sharing each characteristic with every person we cross paths with. In the simplicity of it all, we can change many lives and possibly, one day, live in a different type of world.

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (Colossians 3:12, NIV)

Visible to the World