Be the Fingerprint

by Michelle Lazurek

Two months ago, my husband suffered the loss of his father. At the wake, we were surprised to see the large number of friends and family who came to show their support. A number of people from his former churches also attended. It was a sweet reminder that the Church is comprised of many brothers and sisters in Christ who lift us up and help us bear our burdens.

In preparation for the service, I thought of a picture my daughter made in preschool. It was a hand turkey. After being dipped in paint, her hand had stamped an image that was uniquely hers onto a piece of paper to be decorated with feathers. I sensed God wanted me to talk about fingerprints. He brought to mind a few facts:

1) Our fingerprints are unique to us. No one in the world has the same exact fingerprint as me. Therefore, my hands leave an impression that can only be traced back to me.

2) I leave my fingerprint every place I touch, whether I can see them or not. This is due to the oils naturally secreted in my hands.

3) When my physical body leaves a place, my fingerprints remain on everything I touched while I was there. That unique impression can last for quite a while.

I realized that each person that attended the funeral were people that my father-in-law touched. He may no longer be in this world, but like a physical fingerprint, his impact on others remains.

God has gifted each of us with gifts that enable us to serve each other in love. Paul wrote: “Now there are varieties of gifts…And there are varieties of ministries…There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons” (1 Corinthians 12:4-6, NASB). God created each of us with unique abilities to be used in the lives of others. That means you can have an impact in a way I cannot. Our ability to help someone along in their faith is as individual as our fingerprints.

Every day we have an opportunity to leave our fingerprints on each other. A simple act of kindness may seem insignificant but can leave a lasting impression whether we see it at the time or not. It could lead someone to change their thinking and shift their focus back to God. Something as simple as holding the door for someone, smiling at a store clerk, or offering a coworker something to drink can have an impact. Each time we choose to love, we touch lives for eternity.

Where is God calling you to leave your fingerprint?

“But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” 1 Corinthians 12:7 NASB

About the author: Michelle S. Lazurek is an author, speaker, pastor’s wife and mother. Winner of the Golden Scroll Children’s Book of the Year, the Enduring Light Silver Medal, and the Maxwell Award, she is a member of the Christian Author’s Network and the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. Michelle is also an associate literary agent with Wordwise Media Services. For more on Michelle, please visit her website.

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Join the conversation: How are you using your God-given abilities  to touch those around you?