READ:
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:3-4
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these. Mark 12:30-31
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12
CONSIDER:
Let’s be honest, it’s easy to be a grumpy Gus in the world today. I’m not sure why I’ve noticed lately just how rude, impatient and selfish the world around me can be, but I have. Everyone is moving so fast. People have places to go, work to be done and checks to make on their long list of “to-dos.” Unfortunately, this doesn’t leave a lot of room in their busy schedules to remember that people matter, that kindness matters and that the world does not revolve around their every want or need. As Christians, the top of our “to do” list ought to start with the scripture written at the top of this devotion. As Christians, we know these commands to be true and yet we’re often just as nasty as the lady telling off a teen driver in the Chic-Fil-A drive-thru or the women complaining with every ounce of her body language about the wait time in the Publix Deli (I may or may not be guilty of both of these offenses). If we want to see a change in the world we have to be the change or start the change or set the example for the little ones watching. We must be the kind stranger, the smiling Susan, the positive Patty and/or the Joyful Janice to every negative Nancy or Debbie Downer we come across each day. The application here really is simple. It’s little seemingly silly things we can be doing to shine the light of Jesus in the world around us. It’s letting someone over on the highway; it’s stopping an extra second or two to let someone cross the street (we’re supposed to do this anyway…oops), it’s smiling just because and it’s so many other easy little actions. Again, I know this seems so elementary but I think it’s something we all need to be reminded of often. Life is better when we choose joy each day no matter the circumstances. You find purpose and fulfillment when you allow yourself to be like Jesus a little more today than you did yesterday. Every day you wake up with a choice: be a fountain or be a drain…be a Tigger or be an Eeyore. Be like Jesus or be a jerk. There’s always time to be kind, friends…in big ways, in small ways, in so many ways! Wake up tomorrow and put this scripture into action. You’ll never regret being kind.PRAY:
Lord, sometimes it’s hard to be nice. People make it hard. Circumstances make it hard, but it’s what you’ve called us to do. It’s what you did for us and still do for us today. I’m sure we’re not easy to love either but you sure do love us and have given us Grace we don’t deserve. Help us remember your Grace and your love when we want to lose our cool. Help us remember how simple kindness can change sometimes day or maybe even someone entire life. Let us see the good or at least be the good when there is none to see. I pray that I would be your hands and feet and bring as much heaven down to Earth as I possibly can with the time you’ve given me. We love you. I pray our actions make you smile. – AmenToday’s post was written by Amanda Sanders.
