|
|
|
|
Thursday, Jan 12
|
|
DEVOTIONAL: “GROWING IN CARING"
|
by Minette Ericson, Administrative Assistant
|
In today’s passage, Paul is writing to the church in the ancient city of Philippi to encourage them to continue the advancement/growth of the gospel. One of the ways he tells them to do this is to live in a "manner worthy of the gospel of Christ" (Philippians 1:27). He goes on to lay out what that looks like in chapter 2. Paul urges us to "look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others" (2:4) as Timothy was known for doing (2:19-21).
|
If you're like me, you care about others, but the part of verse 4 that trips you up is the "look" part. We all have responsibilities that need to be fulfilled: to our families, our friends, our jobs, our to-do lists, our own spiritual growth, etc. These are important things to take care of. But perhaps we can lift our heads enough to look around us as we go about our days to see for whom we can show a little extra care: to "be genuinely concerned for the [spiritual] welfare [of those around us]" (2:20).
|
So let me ask: how can you seek to "look to the interests" of those around you this week and this year? Perhaps you could invite someone to coffee, to watch the game, or to simply hang out. Maybe you need to take it even further by becoming a mentor, or discipling someone, or volunteering at a senior citizen center or school.
|
I encourage you today (or at least this week) to find a way to put yourself in a position where you have to “look up” so you can see the needs of others.
|
God, thank you for giving me Jesus, not only as a sacrifice for my sin, but also as an example of giving of oneself to others. Please give me eyes to see others as You see them. Help me make space in my life (in my schedule as well as in my heart) for others and their needs, both spiritual and physical.
|
Feel free to open your Notes app to write down a thought or two from today's reading or write out your own prayer.
|
|
Send someone a text right now inviting them to get together for lunch or coffee.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
