Are you "august"?

No, I'm not asking to my calendar...I'm asking myself and you of course - by extension. As usual, I was curious to find out what "august" means; I know we like to use the word in sentences - well I do.

According to Encarta, august means:

"dignified and splendid: full of solemn splendor and dignity."

Isn't it so typical, to use big words to define unknown words? Well, so I dug deeper...

Dignity means "showing self-respect or behaving in a proper and respectable way"**

Splendid means: "magnificent: impressive because of quality or size; radiant: reflecting light brilliantly; excellent: excellent or highly enjoyable; acclaimed: very well known and acclaimed."***

So the word "august" is both a noun and an adjective - did you know that? Now the challenge - at least, it's my challenge, which is the question we started with:

Are you "august"? Can you be described as "august"?

Putting the question in other words:

"What can I or should I do to be aptly described as "august"?"

Taking it one step further, irrespective of how well (or not so well) I/we have done this year, what can I/we, or should I/we do, to behave properly and be radiant in all I/we do?

Matthew 5:14 -16 encourages us to be radiant; our the terms of reference is clear =>

“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house (place & purpose). In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." (NLT - emphasis mine)

The place and purpose for radiating is clear in the next set of verses too...it even has a promise to go with it.

"Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you (place). Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn (purpose). Lift up your eyes and look about you: All assemble and come to you; your sons come from afar, and your daughters are carried on the arm (purpose). Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; the wealth on the seas will be brought to you, to you the riches of the nations will come." (promise) (Isaiah 60: 1-5 - NIV)

Wherever you are, whoever you are, once you are a Christian (which means "little Christ") - you have the light of life within you (see John 8:12) and remembering God's requests ( http://sapphire-and-beryl.blogspot.com/2010/07/gods-requests.html), let's arise and shine! Do and be good in every way possible - even if others are not being nice to you. Let's purpose to and actually live up to the meaning of the word "august" every day of the month of August knowing that once we rise and radiate God's light and glory, we'll be rich in all things. 2 Cor 9: 7 - 12 pulls this together nicely (emphasis & remarks mine)

Each of you must make up your own mind about how much to give. But don't feel sorry that you must give and don't feel that you are forced to give. God loves people who love to give (and this includes giving of ourselves). God can bless you with everything you need, and you will always have more than enough to do all kinds of good things for others (promise and purpose). The Scriptures say, "God freely gives his gifts to the poor, and always does right." God gives seed to farmers and provides everyone with food. He will increase what you have, so that you can give even more to those in need (promise and purpose). You will be blessed in every way, and you will be able to keep on being generous (promise and purpose). Then many people will thank God when we deliver your gift (purpose). What you are doing is much more than a service that supplies God's people with what they need. It is something that will make many others thank God.  (Contemporary English Version)

Did I mention that:

 the "place" to be august is everywhere you are

and the day is "every day" in every way?

Indeed - it's August already!!! Yes and we have another "blank" month before us...and of course the rest of our lives lies ahead too...

May God bless us all richly...as we rise and radiate regularly.

P.S. Happy Birthday to those born in August - may you be described as "august" in Jesus' name. Amen

References:

*http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/features/dictionary/DictionaryResults.aspx?lextype=3&search=august

**http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/features/dictionary/DictionaryResults.aspx?lextype=3&search=dignified

***http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/features/dictionary/DictionaryResults.aspx?lextype=3&search=splendid