I WANT TO BE LIKE MIKE

One of my oldest friends is Dr. W. Michael Wilson. He is the Associate Professor of Pastoral Ministry and Associate Dean for Applied Ministries at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, Texas. Of all the qualities Mike possesses, the one I most admire is his consistency to build up people. I always feel better after talking with Mike. He is truly a people-builder. Come to think of it, I want to be like Mike.

There's a price tag for being a people-builder: It requires unselfishness.

The writer of Hebrews wrote, "In response to all he has done for us, let us outdo each other in being helpful and kind to each other and in doing good." (Hebrews 10:24, TLB)

At some point, the Romans confused the word "cristos" with "crestos." Cristos means Christ; Crestos, in Latin, means kindness. In a roundabout way, that confusion can teach us something: Christians should be the kindest of all people.

Let me suggest an objective to you--be a people-builder not just for this holiday season, but for the rest of your life. Begin by writing down the name of one person you want to help build up, then stop and pray.

Ask God to show you that person's strengths. We always build on our strengths, not on our weaknesses. Write down whatever strengths you've seen in him or her in the past.

Then tell that person, "I've been thinking about you because I really care about you. I wanted to share with you- from my viewpoint- the strengths I see in your life because those strengths determine what God wants us to do in our lives."

Imagine the impact you could have if you would commit yourself to being a people-builder like Mike. If you determine to bring out the best in everyone you know, it will go a long way in helping people to become what God made them to be.