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If you want to make an impact on those you supervise, let your actions speak louder than your words. While your words are important, your actions punctuate your words. Lead by example. Don't, for instance, ask your employees to do anything you're not willing to do yourself.

God knew that Jeremiah's actions would have a greater impact on the people than what he said. So he instructed Jeremiah to buy a plot of land, even though that land was about to be captured by Babylon. God used Jeremiah as an example to show that someday, when God restored their land, property would again be bought and sold. During the years of captivity that followed, that example stayed rooted in their minds, giving them hope.

You may never know exactly how your example will affect others. But as you seek to do the right thing and follow God, he'll use you in surprising ways. (See also Exodus 18; 1 Kings 3:5-15; 4:29-34; Ezra 5:1-6:12; John 21:15-25; 2 Timothy 1:1-7; Philemon 8-16; Philemon 15-25.)

Good Words to Remember:
Then I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for the good of them and their children after them. And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from doing them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from me. Jeremiah 32:39, 40

Today's Challenge:
Do your actions speak louder than your words? What are they saying?

Copyright © 2001 by the author or Christianity Today International/Christian Bible Studies.