It is important that we recognize that this task is a call, intended to engage all of God’s sons and daughters.

He knows that we will struggle at times … the plan is that as we draw closer to Him, we are able to bring Him closer to others.

Putting this into action is not easy and we can quickly tire in making this effort a reality. Honestly, it is a step too far for us … we simply cannot do it on our own.

However, it is clear that God’s intent is for all of us to demonstrate His love to others and to develop the character of Christ in us.

Sharing Kindness And Showing Dignity … Are Always A Profitable Investment

I love the narrative of Philippians 2 where Paul describes just how challenging it is for us is to imitate Christ’s humility and to do so without grumbling or giving up.

This is a challenge, but it remains His command to us, and thus it becomes our mandate … it is to this that we have been called.

Danielle Bernock in her article, “What Does it Mean to Love Your Neighbor as Yourself?” makes a case for all of this in a very convincing manner.

“Loving your neighbor as yourself is found eight times in the Bible. Not once. Not twice. Eight times. Loving your neighbor as yourself is so important to God that He not only repeats Himself, He makes it a command. And not just one in a list of many commands. Jesus coupled the command to love your neighbor as yourself with loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.”

This captured my attention!

The heart and mind of God is clear on this matter, and I am convinced that this is His will and purpose for all of us.

Sharing Kindness And Showing Dignity … Are Always A Profitable Investment

Danielle goes on to suggest a wide variety of ways that we can demonstrate kindness and show dignity.

▪ Making allowances for other people’s humanity
We live in a day and age when offense is as common as breathing. Criticism is running rampant. Love is not easily offended or critical. Everyone does dumb things; no one is always right or knows everything. We’re all a work in progress.
▪ Showing grace
Knowing God is love and that this love is for you is not enough. It needs to be developed. Imagine if you had a field of good soil and a bag of top-notch seeds. Would they produce a crop all by themselves? No. The seeds must be planted and cared for. Grace takes the seed of His love and the soil of our heart and creates fruit for the kingdom of God. Freely receiving His grace empowers us to freely give it.
▪ Acting with compassion
Compassion is not simply a warm fuzzy feeling in our hearts. Compassion does something. A heart that’s moved by compassion cannot sit idly by while someone suffers a need. Loving your neighbor as yourself is being moved to help to the full extent of your ability.
▪ Speaking kindly
Use words to build up. Speaking words of encouragement to someone who’s down is the most obvious example but there are others. We can be more intentional with our words by looking for and magnifying the good. We can always find something good if we’ll take the time to look for it.

Sharing Kindness And Showing Dignity … Are Always A Profitable Investment

My hope is that we are fully convinced of the great enduring value of this call.

Sharing kindness and showing dignity matter and they truly are a profitable investment. Their value and impact are both immediate and eternal!

More of this will make a difference, so put these things in play at every opportunity.

I know I am in … and you?
-Terry-

2022 THEME
Christ Above, Christ Alone, Christ In All … This Is Our Anthem; This Is Our Call