Humility
If you've gotten anything at all out of following
Christ,
If his love has made any difference in your life,
If being in a community of the Spirit means anything
to you,
If you have a heart, if you care;
Then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each
other, be deep-spirited friends. Don't push your way to the front; don't
sweet-talk your way to the top.
Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Philippians 2:1-3 (The Message)
Paul in his letter to the
Philippians calls us to follow the example that Jesus set, to love our
neighbors as ourselves and in doing our “job” we then show our love and
commitment to God and His creation.
Lately it seems that many are
trying to pawn off their responsibilities on others, it seems we have become a
lazy society, full of self-gratification. Go into any store and see how long it
takes to be served. If everyone would
just do their “job" everything would run smoothly in this world. Instead
many are looking for a handout, an easier way, or someone to blame for their
mistakes. It seems that everyone is in a rush, concerned with themselves- some
have even moved on from being hovering parents, who elbowed the way for their
children, to indifferent parents, allowing or demanding that others do the job
of raising their children for them- they only seem to care about themselves
now. Many are not willing to take the extra step of volunteering to help out-
someone else always has more time.
What would happen if everyone
opened their eyes and minds and hearts to their fellow man- no matter their
race or religion/beliefs and sees them as God does- as one of His children, as
part of Himself? We are all called to be stewards of the gifts that God gives
us, as well as, called to take the time to spread the good news. It is not a
task for just a chosen few.
Years ago I joined the church
and was content to make it a few times a month; it wasn't until I became more
involved and began to give more of myself that I got more back. When you do
your “job” you get the message.
I am inspired by what I
continue to see at Holy Trinity. We have
many volunteers doing new jobs, as well as, serving in old capacities and
taking on additional roles to help fill in the little gaps. We are a community that is living by
God was truly present in the
fellowship at the Ziti dinner, as the community came together to support the
youth and advance them on their way not only to the national youth conference
in
Dear Lord, We are just beginning
the Lenten season, help us to give our time, compassion, charity and give up
our prejudice and fear of our fellow man. Open our eyes, Lord. We want to see, Jesus. Amen
This has been circulating for
some time and is attributed to Mother Teresa; I think it sums it up nicely:
People are unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.
The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Be good anyway.
Honesty and frankness will make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.
People need help, but may attack you if you try to help them.
Help them anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway.
Denise Clayton