For those who have followed my blog, yes, this is unusual to post twice in one week. Tomorrow marks the anniversary of the death of a childhood friend. That and other thoughts got me musing.
While in college, my father would often admonish me, concerning my relationship with God, to make sure to make time for what is important. He knew that the urgent would always demand precedence. This is true on many levels.
An idea that has come to me frequently is that you make time for what matters to you. You know if someone thinks you're important by how they act. It doesn't have to be big things, maybe just a note, but they reach out because you matter.
My friend was killed in an accident. He was on his way to work and his life ended. Thankfully, the testimonies of friends and family reveal he lived out a similar principal, with people and with God. But, if he hadn't, how quickly it would have been too late.
So I'm reminded once again--make time for what's important. Life doesn't slow down (I'm learning that). Instead, it accelerates. It's you who has to say, "This one matters!" Your children, parents, spouse, friends... savour the moments, the touch, the faces, the words. Take time for God. Take time for people.
Activities never end, but people do.
Showing posts with label people. Show all posts
Showing posts with label people. Show all posts
28 September 2009
27 September 2009
What's Love Got to Do with It?
My employer has begun a racial diversity group, in which I am a part. We have been discussing the importance of diversity and what it would look like in our immediate context.
This week, an African American male and an Indian (from India) female were sharing that their comfort level is greatest in groups of their own people. A couple of us countered that, as Christians, we should all be one in Christ; we should be one people and not segregate ourselves.
Our group monitor reminded us of Jesus example of reaching out, going the extra mile for those ostracized by His nation. The example of His reaching out to the Samaritan woman at the well came to mind. Jesus did not expect her to join the groups of His own people first, but spent time showing He cared for her as an individual and knew her greatest need.
I little brighter light went on in my head. In my desire that we all be unified, I have to realize that there are people that I need to reach out to in a more purposeful way, to show love, to make feel welcome and important.
Paul, in Philippians says, "Each of us should look not only to our own needs, but also to the needs of others." He goes on to give the greatest example for us to follow, the Hero of Love--Jesus Christ.
Jesus tied loving others in with true love for God when He gave the greatest commands: "'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and most important commandment. The second is like it: 'You must love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:37-40)
People today often choose one command over the other. They either focus so much on God that they fail to grasp that love for God is shown by His love flowing through us to others. If we are not practically loving others, we do not love God. "By this all men will know that you are My disciples if you have love for one another."
On the other extreme, individuals get so caught up in causes that they fail to see God. If we don't love God, what we do for others, no matter how good it appears to our fellow humans, is using people in the most selfish sense of the word.
Oswald Chambers rightly said: "No love of the natural heart is safe unless the human heart has been satisfied by God first."
And Augustine explains: "He loves Thee [God] too little who loves anything together with Thee, which he loves not for Thy sake."
As in all things the Bible teaches, there is a balancing rope to be walked. Loving God is always first. That comes from time with Him, feeding in His Word, talking with Him, but, then, going out and doing what He says (cf. James).
What is He asking you to do this week? Is there someone from another country or a different background that needs you to go the extra mile to show you care to really know them? Is there someone in financial need that God is asking you to give money without thought of repayment? Is there someone who is physically hurting that needs help around the house?
We must always focus on seeking God's face, while holding each other's hand.
This week, an African American male and an Indian (from India) female were sharing that their comfort level is greatest in groups of their own people. A couple of us countered that, as Christians, we should all be one in Christ; we should be one people and not segregate ourselves.
Our group monitor reminded us of Jesus example of reaching out, going the extra mile for those ostracized by His nation. The example of His reaching out to the Samaritan woman at the well came to mind. Jesus did not expect her to join the groups of His own people first, but spent time showing He cared for her as an individual and knew her greatest need.
I little brighter light went on in my head. In my desire that we all be unified, I have to realize that there are people that I need to reach out to in a more purposeful way, to show love, to make feel welcome and important.
Paul, in Philippians says, "Each of us should look not only to our own needs, but also to the needs of others." He goes on to give the greatest example for us to follow, the Hero of Love--Jesus Christ.
Jesus tied loving others in with true love for God when He gave the greatest commands: "'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and most important commandment. The second is like it: 'You must love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:37-40)
People today often choose one command over the other. They either focus so much on God that they fail to grasp that love for God is shown by His love flowing through us to others. If we are not practically loving others, we do not love God. "By this all men will know that you are My disciples if you have love for one another."
On the other extreme, individuals get so caught up in causes that they fail to see God. If we don't love God, what we do for others, no matter how good it appears to our fellow humans, is using people in the most selfish sense of the word.
Oswald Chambers rightly said: "No love of the natural heart is safe unless the human heart has been satisfied by God first."
And Augustine explains: "He loves Thee [God] too little who loves anything together with Thee, which he loves not for Thy sake."
As in all things the Bible teaches, there is a balancing rope to be walked. Loving God is always first. That comes from time with Him, feeding in His Word, talking with Him, but, then, going out and doing what He says (cf. James).
What is He asking you to do this week? Is there someone from another country or a different background that needs you to go the extra mile to show you care to really know them? Is there someone in financial need that God is asking you to give money without thought of repayment? Is there someone who is physically hurting that needs help around the house?
We must always focus on seeking God's face, while holding each other's hand.
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