BE A BEAUTY-BRINGER -- Devotional for August 29, from "Good Seeds"

Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you shall have welfare.” (Jeremiah 29:7)

There’s an old fable about two different men who were out scouting for a new place to live. As coincidence would have it, they both came to the same town, but a day apart. When the first man arrived, he entered a local café and struck up a conversation with the fellow sitting next to him at the counter. “My family and I need a fresh start, and I was wondering if you could tell me a little about your town, you know, what the people are like, city services – things like that.” The townsman answered, “I’d be glad to, but first let me ask you this: what’s it like where you live now?” “Oh the people are kind and helpful, the streets and parks are well maintained, and our mayor is doing a good job.” The townsman said, “Well sir, you’re in luck, for this town is also quite clean and very people-friendly! I think you’d fit right in!” The man thanked him and made a beeline for home to tell his family the good news and to start packing. The next day the second man came. He found himself in that same café, sat next to that same townsman and asked the same question. “Sure, I’ll tell you,” he said, “but first, please tell me, what’s it like where you come from?” “Oh my town’s the pits!” said the visitor. “The people are rude, the streets are full of potholes, local taxes are outrageous, and we’re about to fire the city council!” “Hmm,” pondered the townsman, “I’m afraid it’s like that here, too.” The visitor went out, as disgruntled as when he came in. Now, what about this townsman? Why did he tell contradicting stories about his fair city? So deceptive! So dishonest! Or was he just being wise? He knew people tend to see only what they are attuned to seeing. He knew each of those men would bring to his new home what bothered or blessed him most about his old home. If we look for faults we’ll have no trouble finding them. But if we seek peace and happiness, we’ll find abundant opportunity anywhere to follow that wonderful pursuit! Negative people live in the dark and bring their darkness with them wherever they go. No wonder the townsman didn’t encourage that second man to come – who’d want him for a neighbor! But optimistic people have a knack for beautifying whatever spot they land on. This isn’t pop psychology, it’s practical godliness. God Himself instructed His people to bless their neighbors and beautify their surroundings, no matter where He chose to plop them. Aren’t you also in exile on this old earth? But if you’ll be a beauty-bringer, you’ll not only be a people-blesser, but a God-glorifier, too! Augustine said it this way: “If we live good lives, the times are also good. As we are, such are the times.”