Something that I learn over and over again is that God is pretty freaking cool. It's late right now, it's 11 o'clock and honestly I am ready for bed. I sat down, opened my bible and didn't anticipate on having anything to write about tonight, but God had different plans for me. The very first verse that I read I was hit with an idea and filled with something that I wanted to share.
I believe that a lot of us live lives that are too comfortable. We barely scratch the surface with most people that we know. There is definitely a reason for that because there is information about ourselves that not everybody needs to know. When I talk about this idea, I am not talking about how much we tell other people about ourselves. What I am talking about is how are we showing that we love others and care for others? It's way easier to see someone you know and show them love and that you care for them than it is a stranger. I mean, that makes sense right? Do you agree?
I don't know why that is, sure it might be a bit awkward and that is probably the reason we rarely do it, but who cares about how awkward something is. Unfortunately I care, you care, and most people care. I don't want to care but it just naturally happens and it's a hard seal to break. When you really think about it, to show someone love like Jesus would and to make them feel like they matter and that they are cared for, you really just have to be genuinely nice. We all know what fake nice is and that won't get the job done. We have to sincerely be nice from the bottom of our hearts. If I asked you to think of some people in your life who are genuinely nice people you could distinguish those people compared to those who are not nice pretty easily. The people who are loving and nice have something different about them. You can see it in their eyes, hear it in their tone of voice, and observe it from their body language. Most can probably pick up on these traits without specifically looking for them.
Why am I talking about going deeper with other people and showing them that they matter and that you love and care for them? I want you to think of this. Think of the people you know, the people you say you love and care for, and then think about all of the people who you don't know. There are billions of people of this earth that you and I don't know. Imagine reaching out more to the people you don't know and showing the love of Christ. If we only show Christ's love to the people that we know, think about all of the people that are missing out. If 100 people read this post and each person shows love and kindness to someone they don't know, that is 100 more people, plus the people the 100 shows love to on daily basis, and you could be around 300 people who are getting a small taste of what God's love is like.
By simply saying hi to someone, or asking them about their family or how their Christmas vacation was can affect their lives. One conversation can change a life. One conversation can show love. Think about being the giver in this situation. There is something about reaching out to someone and encouraging them that is so fulfilling. This isn't just a one way street.
The verse I read tonight that inspired me to write this came from Colossians 2:1.
I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. (Colossians 2:1)
I am greatly inspired by Paul here. He is writing about how hard he is trying for you and for all of those at Laodicea, and for all of those who have not met him personally. Paul was contending so hard for that people that have never even met him. Imagine having that perspective on things. We contend for those who know us, and Paul contends for those who know him and for all of those who have not met him. Like I talked about above, I believe that we get caught up in just the people that we are close with and we forget that there are more people we don't know than those we do know.
I challenge each and every one of you including myself to step out of our comfort zones and to start caring more for those who we don't even know.
No comments:
Post a Comment