“Don't be selfish; don't live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. Don't think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing. Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had.” Philippians 2:3-5 (NLT)
“But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ.” Ephesians 4:15 (NASB)
Humans have a tendency to be selfish. Some people are kind and tender because of their nature while others have to work at it, yet people are most often more concerned about self rather than anything else.
The two Scriptures above are telling for the Christian. We need to look close at both of them and see if God has some work to still do in our lives. Honest? We all have some places where God wants to work. As we follow God, we want Him to deal with the rough edges and smooth us out or make us more like His Son.
For years I have told a story about a little boy who was slower than the rest of his class, 2nd grade I believe, and he wanted to make a Valentine Card for everyone in his class. His mom knew he would be disappointed when he got little or none in return. He worked on his cards for days and put them in his back pack on that special day. Mom thought it would be a harsh day on her little boy so she made his favorite cookies to enjoy after school. When he came in the house, she heard him mumbling, “not a single one, not a single one.” His mother was crushed thinking her son was hurt. The boy walked in the kitchen and with a huge smile on his face told his mom, “I didn’t miss a single one in my class. I gave everyone a Valentine.”
That story reminds me and you that we have to go the extra mile to love people where they are no matter what they do in return. God is pleased by that. Ministry happens when we do that. We look like and act like Jesus when we care for others. Thinking of others and speaking the truth in love is not always easy, but it is always right.
In so doing, we will not miss a single one.
God, fill us. Use us. Make our lives and actions and words be a blessing through your love displayed to those we encounter every day. Help us to say with joy Not a Single One, we didn’t miss a single one. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
“But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ.” Ephesians 4:15 (NASB)
Humans have a tendency to be selfish. Some people are kind and tender because of their nature while others have to work at it, yet people are most often more concerned about self rather than anything else.
The two Scriptures above are telling for the Christian. We need to look close at both of them and see if God has some work to still do in our lives. Honest? We all have some places where God wants to work. As we follow God, we want Him to deal with the rough edges and smooth us out or make us more like His Son.
For years I have told a story about a little boy who was slower than the rest of his class, 2nd grade I believe, and he wanted to make a Valentine Card for everyone in his class. His mom knew he would be disappointed when he got little or none in return. He worked on his cards for days and put them in his back pack on that special day. Mom thought it would be a harsh day on her little boy so she made his favorite cookies to enjoy after school. When he came in the house, she heard him mumbling, “not a single one, not a single one.” His mother was crushed thinking her son was hurt. The boy walked in the kitchen and with a huge smile on his face told his mom, “I didn’t miss a single one in my class. I gave everyone a Valentine.”
That story reminds me and you that we have to go the extra mile to love people where they are no matter what they do in return. God is pleased by that. Ministry happens when we do that. We look like and act like Jesus when we care for others. Thinking of others and speaking the truth in love is not always easy, but it is always right.
In so doing, we will not miss a single one.
God, fill us. Use us. Make our lives and actions and words be a blessing through your love displayed to those we encounter every day. Help us to say with joy Not a Single One, we didn’t miss a single one. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
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