Sing In The LightA Blog Glorifying God

“More men fail through ignorance of their strength than fail through knowledge of their weakness.”
– Unknown

Last night I spent quite a bit of time thinking and writing about the quote above. This morning I got to my computer, selected it all, and hit the delete key.

The angle that I was looking at it from last night was one of comparing my strengths with those of others. To other writers. To other carpenters. To others who have walked in the ministry of God. Does God compare me to Langston Hughes? Or to Frederich Buechner? Or to Bob Villa?

But this morning I woke up with Philippians 2:3 running through the front of my mind -
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.”

For me, I think God wanted me to do one thing: be aware of how I am ignorant of the strengths of others by focusing on their weaknesses, by focusing on first impressions, by judging them. He wanted me to focus on being of encouragement. What it is about is seeing others as better because of their unique strengths that God has given them, helping others to use their strengths. When I do not help others to recognize or be confident in their God-given abilities, I fail my Lord and Savior. Encourage others to recognize what God has blessed them with, even when they struggle to do so. And no, that isn’t always easy. Some do not want to be encouraged, but that does not mean I stop trying. If I truly see another through God’s eyes, really see their God-given potential, why would I stop reaching out to them?

Personally, I am blessed by so many who have encouraged me by their words pointing to my abilities. (Thank you so much). Were it not for those words, I doubt I would continue to write. This morning I reignited my purpose in writing – to encourage others. In encouraging others, I have found out a lot about myself along the way. In giving I have received.

Colossians 2:2-3 -
“My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”

WOW! So much comes from simple encouragement!
–

In His service,
Keith

“It is not years that make souls grow old, but having nothing to love, nothing to hope for.”
– Father Congreve

I do not know of this Father Congreve, but as I think on his words this morning I am overwhelmed with love, with hope. I know I am loved, by the actions and words and prayers from others (thank you). And by some small measure I hope that I reflect that love to others, onto others. And in doing so maybe spread love where there was none or little before. Who did Jesus seek out? Do I seek out others who are easy for me to love or…? Is it possible to exist without love and yet have hope?

As I reread Congreve’s words yet again, “having nothing TO love” jumps out at me. Very interesting use of words because I think what I had pictured more was a soul that is unloved. Love coming in, when Congreve is actually looking outward. While I am not an theological or philosophical expert it would seem it to me that to love others would almost be a natural inclination for men and women. It would seem to me, in my naive view, that for someone to choose or be incapable of loving others would be the cause of something dramatic in their life, or something awry biologically, or something demonic.

So, after all of this, I find myself rereading 1 Corinthians 13 – http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians+13&version=NIV

Love is why you and I are here, because we are loved, and because we are to show love. At the end of the day: LOVE. Yes, my neighbor, my fellow believer, but also the unloved and unlovable, my enemies, and those who I might just walk by.

For some reason I wanted to listen to, to watch the “I have a dream” speech, but instead I was led to the one I saw below. Words that I remember, but have not listened to near enough. Words from the day before Dr. King was assassinated. Words of encouragement, of hope, of love.

May you love others today, in a new way.

–

In His service,
Keith

“It is a profound irony that the Son of God visited this planet and one of the chief complaints against him was that he was not religious enough.”
– Rebecca Manley Pippert

“Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.”
– Psalm 37:7, The New International Version

Hmm. This got me thinking and looking at the world around me. How many times do I look around or listen and think to myself, “I can’t believe that ___ just got away with that.” Whether half way around the world or right before my eyes. It could be in sports, in politics, in the church, on the street. People say and do things that I shake my head at in disbelief. Sometimes it is I, chief among sinners. Remember the other day when I talked about choices? Wickedness has so many forms, as can be seen by the choices that I make, that you make.

As I reread that particular Psalm again, Psalm 37:7, I find myself questioning the waiting part. What does it mean when it is the man in the mirror who succeeds in wickedness?

I encourage you, today, as you have time, to read all of Psalm 37, for it helped me to answer my own question. Two simple words I remember from a friend, Mark Iblings: “Good stuff.” He would say that often as he looked up from reading and contemplating the word of God.

If you so desire, you can read Psalm 37 here – http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%2037&version=NIV.

“The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; he is their stronghold in time of trouble.” – Psalm 37:39

May God bless you abundantly today with patience and stillness.

“Your home can be a place for dying or living, for wilting or blooming, for anxiety or peace, for discouragement or affirmation, for criticism or approval, for profane disregard or reverence, for suspicion or trust, for blame or forgiveness, for alienation or closeness, for violation or respect, for carelessness or caring.  By your daily choices, you will make your home what you want it to be.”
–Carole Sanderson Streeter

It is easy for me to take for granted the fact that I have a God-given ability to choose. It is equally as easy, sometimes more easy to give over my ability to choose. Reading Streeter’s words above reminded me of that this morning. Standing up for my ability to choose is not always easy, due to situations, circumstances, etc. Isn’t making choices, the “right” choices, a responsibility that I have as one of God’s children? Did God give me the freedom of choice only that I might choose, in turn, to give that over to another? No, He allows me to choose, to make decisions, in order that I would choose to be like Him. My responsibility is to be in His Word, to be in fellowship with His disciples, to be in conversation with the Spirit and with Him. In doing those things might I daily make choices that draw His kingdom closer. Choices that reflect the fact that God is by Savior and Lord.

Joshua 24:15 (New International Version) – “But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”

Today, what kind of home will I, will you, choose? To what will you have others look to you for?

“I live my life in widening circles that reach out across the world. I may not complete this last one but I give myself to it.”
-Rainer Maria Rilke, poet and novelist (1875-1926)

Rilke is one of my favorite poets. His words this morning encourage me to ever expand my comfort zone, and by doing so to expand my willingness to be of servitude to Him.