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The Prints We Leave Behind
Many years have passed since fingerprinting commenced being used to solve acts of crime. At the time this application was used, people were amazed at how the most difficult crimes could be resolved. This science relied on the fact that whenever our fingers touched something we left an invisible print. Each fingerprint is just different enough for a detective to discover who touched a particular object. Many times a thief has been caught because their fingerprints have been found at the scene of a crime. Now of course, forensic science has progressed so far that the DNA of a person is used to solve crimes. This method of solving crimes does not just apply to current crimes, but tests for DNA are also used to solve what are described as ‘cold cases’ - cases that have not been solved for many years. In a similar fashion to our fingerprints, it is possible for us to leave chromosomes of our organisms from our bodies on objects we come in contact with. Remarkably, in almost 100% of cases, these chromosomes are different for each person. In a similar fashion to our fingerprints and DNA, our lives touch other people’s lives daily and leave an invisible print. When you speak to someone, you touch their lives. You can make people happy with a cheerful word, or on the other hand sad, with unkind words. You can bring help or comfort to people, or you can make them unhappy by a thoughtless word or action. Even when we are not thinking about it, our words and actions influence other people’s lives. The mark you leave on people’s lives is invisible because that mark is on their thoughts and feelings. Sometimes the mark is made visible by their actions and words. Sometimes you can be ‘caught’ doing something helpful or harmful. Sometimes it is not until years later that we find out what an influence we have had on a person’s life – just like the solving of a ‘cold case’. As we examine the life of Jesus, we can find many instances where he left his mark on people’s lives. I recall the leper who was the only one out of ten healed by Jesus, who returned to thank him. Zaccheus’ life was changed when Jesus visited in his home – he repented from his sins and made restoration to those he had robbed. Jesus most certainly left his mark on his followers and disciples. When he promised them the gift of the Holy Spirit he said: “…and you will be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). And so, they continued to progress Jesus’ work following his ascent to his Father in heaven, bearing the mark he left them from his life and teachings and accompanied by the Holy Spirit. In a similar fashion, the love of Jesus shines in and through what we do – when we touch, when we talk and walk with, when we help – and it leaves a mark of love. This invisible influence on a person can change their life. You can leave your mark by telling people about what God means in your life. You can let them know Jesus loves them. Your words and actions can be a witness to what loving Jesus really means. You can let them know how Jesus can help them. Your life can be a good witness for what God means to you in your life. Let us make sure the prints we leave on a person bear the influence and love of Christ. Bill Gillard
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