Loving Gentleness

 

Moving along in our Lenten journey with Colossians 3:12 and a sense of reflection, we turn to the latest word on this path – gentleness.  If we all only responded with a sense of gentleness, how different our lives would be!  As we are beginning to see, many of the values shared in Colossians 3:12 work closely together.  Gentleness continues on that path.  Gentleness can be defined as being tender, mild-mannered, or courteous.  I like the word tender – not tough.  It can even be seen as a bit vulnerable.  When I view the Biblical definition, it may even contain the word meekness.  Once again, I view the world around me, reflecting on my own actions, and there are situations where I certainly would not use the word tender or meekness to describe these moments.

What does one gain by being gentle?  I mean, if we really want something done, how does gentleness get to the end result?  If we want to get our point across, ensuring we are correct, should we be displaying tenderness and vulnerability?  What happened to ‘tough love’?  As Christians, part of our mission is to save the unbelievers.  Shouldn’t we affirm strongly what we know and how they should repent?

Oh, my friends, the answer to sharing a sense of gentleness is seen throughout the Bible.  The answer, according to Paul in his letter to the Colossians, is YES, we should be displaying gentleness.  When I think of how Jesus shared a sense of gentleness while He was here on earth, it confirms the importance of bringing gentleness into our lives.  Jesus did not whip non-believers into believers.  Jesus did not push and shove the masses to belief. 

Jesus used His strong hand with a gentle touch.  Stories in the Bible share this in numerous ways.  One of the best is the view that Jesus is our Shephard – gathering His lambs.  He does not strike out in anger with the one sheep leaving the flock but gently guides the sheep back to the flock.  I am sure there are countless times have we left Jesus’ flock!  How many times have we doubted His will or walked against His path?  Jesus is waiting for us when we stray, gently guiding us back.  His gentleness is displaying in full view as He enters Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.  He does not enter with a sense of majesty.  He enters on a lowly donkey, sharing a sense of gentleness and humbleness.

It is time for us to show gentleness.  It is time to have a soft touch and a sense of gathering up versus breaking down.  We will always fall short of our ability to show any of these values day in and day out.  Our goal is to move towards our role model, Jesus, in all we do.  His love and gentleness for us is seen each day in our lives.  We deserve His wrath, not His gentleness, for our sinful nature.  Jesus does not work that way!  His compassion, kindness, humility, and gentleness are seen in the way He touches our lives.  May we do the same in those lives we touch.  Let us have simple faith that His will should be done.

Dearest Jesus, you model the word gentleness for us so beautifully.  May we reflect on the ways we can display a greater sense of gentleness to those around us.  Help us to act, and react, in a tender and loving way.  Amen!

Living Humility

 

We continue to progress through Colossians 3:12 as our Lenten journey moves forward.  We come across the value that speaks to me the most, that of humility.  Humility – having a modest view of one’s value or importance.  Many times, it seems as if humility gets confused with a sense of confidence.  Modern society has us focusing on the merit of being confident – at work, at home, in life.  Confidence and humility can actually live together quite well and support each other.  Confidence does not have to be portrayed without a sense of humility.

It is when confidence is outwardly represented at a level where one becomes arrogant that humility seems to have fallen to the wayside.  This can be seen in business, in politics, in medicine and yes, even in the church.  When arrogance overtakes confidence, humility is not seen whatsoever.  So where can we turn to be able to have a view of how confidence and humility can live together?

JESUS!  Our Lord and Savior lived his life in a realm of humility.  I cannot think of any person, dead or alive, who represents the ability to be confident and display humility greater than our Jesus.  Jesus was never confused, never doubted, and never lacked a full confidence in who He was – God’s Son!  Yet, his demeanor brought the sense that he was never too important to show humility. 

For me, Jesus’ humility shined through greatest when He washed the disciples’ feet during the Last Supper.  Jesus knew what was ahead of Him, the torture, the anguish, His death.  Instead of spending the evening with His friends from a stance of displayed confidence, He shined His love through the humility of washing their feet.  We need to remember during Jesus’ times people wore open sandals on their feet, permitting the dust and dirt of the unpaved roads to be caked on their feet.  Yet, our humble Jesus took the action of humility to display, in His last moments with these men before His death, to show them this act of humility.

In our goal to be confident on this earth, are we shirking our responsibility to exemplify humility?  As we reflect on this, are you finding there are times when we take glory for ourselves, forgetting that we are truly nothing without our Lord and Savior?  Living a life with Jesus is knowing that all we have comes from a loving and generous God.  It is not only knowing that, but sharing that, with those around us.  It is also being aware that no matter how good we may be at something, there is always room to do better, know more and be more like Jesus.  My friends, this should always be a path we strive to improve.  Humility is a true gift – one given so generously by Jesus.  May we focus our life, living in humble obedience to our Jesus.  Let us have simple faith that Jesus will continue to teach us each and every day.

Dearest Jesus, please continue to work in our lives.  May we strive to be humble and show the humility that we have in our hearts.  We know that we have nothing without You.  Help us to let others around us know that!  Amen.

Showing Kindness

 

Continuing our Lenten series and focusing on Colossians 3:12, we move into kindness.  This should be easy enough – who isn’t kind?  Let us spend time with that question, who isn’t kind?  Remember, Lent is a time for us to truly self-reflect, and if I spend time on that question, there are a number of times when I may not have been kind. 

·         In moments of frustration, my response may lack kindness.

·         When my plan is not supported by others, my response may lack kindness.

·         If reactions coming from others are not kind, my response may certainly lack kindness.

There are plenty of instances where my reaction has not been blanketed in kindness.  Defining kindness, one can say it is the quality of being friendly or generous.  Do you find that you have had moments such as this – even with your friends never mind those that may be considered acquaintances or strangers?  Forget kindness, I may have responded rudely.  As I reflect, I see this happening with those that I am closest to, that I feel safe to respond ‘any way I want’ without focusing on the fact that my closest family members and friends are those I should be kindest towards.

There have been times, as much as I hate to admit this in such a public forum, when my children may have wanted my attention when they were little, and I did not respond in kindness.  In fact, I may have responded with a sense of annoyance.  Their timing was off, and I was busy with other things, only to feel horrible a few seconds later when I responded with a lack of kindness.

Once again, we focus on the life of Jesus as our example of kindness.  To me, nothing expresses Jesus’ love through kindness more than when He invited the children to come to Him.  As the disciples rebuked those who were bringing their children to Jesus, Jesus’ response was one of kindness.  “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”  Mark 10:14. Jesus’ kindness through love has a variety of scenarios that talk to us, as humans, on how we should react in kindness.

Imagine a world where we did not experience Jesus’ kindness.  More importantly, imagine a world where we were not the source of Jesus’ kindness.  My friends, it is not easy to express kindness in all situations.  Yet, especially in today’s world, kindness is needed each and every day.  We have joy for we have experienced Jesus’ love and kindness through his journey to the cross.  May we be the kindness that needs to be seen in the world around us.  Let us take the first step of kindness to a stranger – offering a cup of coffee, a smile, a moment of our time, a warm meal, a soft touch.  The world speaks of random acts of kindness.  What time better than now, than today, to act upon Jesus’ love in kindness!  Do you know how?  Have simple faith that Jesus will show you – just ask!

Dearest Jesus, your examples of kindness inspire us to be better people here on earth.  Guide us and teach us through your Holy Spirit to be kind in our actions, our responses, and our lives.  In your kind and loving name, we pray.  Amen!

 

True Compassion

 

It is Lent, a time when we self-reflect on our lives, the ways that we have fallen short, and understand why Jesus’ Walk to the cross means so much to our sinful selves.  This Lenten season, we will be focusing on the values listed in Colossians 3:12. Every time I read this verse, I cannot help but look at my daily life and question myself if I am ‘clothing myself’ the way Paul has asked us to.  When I do this, the reflection shows definite room for improvement.  In the next few weeks, we will reflect together, see where we fall short, ask for forgiveness, and take steps to walk closer to Jesus.

The first value shared in this special verse is compassion.   Defined, compassion is when one can appreciate or feel someone else’s pain or suffering and takes action to help alleviate it.  There are two parts of this word that my focus turns to.  The first is feeling someone else’s suffering.  In compassion, I believe that part of the definition means to do so without judgement.  That can be difficult to do.  Often, we may feel someone else’s pain, but it can come with a sense of “they got themselves into this mess because ____________,” judging.  Self-reflecting, I cannot say that my compassion has not had some sense of judgement at times.  Maybe not outwardly, but in my heart.  True compassion does not come with judgement.  True compassion comes with understanding. 

Our dear Jesus lived out compassion at the highest level and is a wonderful role model for us to follow.  Did he ever criticize the woman at the well?  He pointed out the facts and moved on, not dwelling on her sins, but giving her living water.  Did he condemn Mary Magdalene for the demons she had once possessed?  No, He welcomed her into His ministry.  There was no judgement, only true compassion.  What does that mean for us, my friends?  Our compassion should follow suit. 

The second part of the definition takes action.  It is not having this level of understanding or feeling someone else’s suffering (that is empathy).  The second part states, “takes action to help alleviate the suffering.”  It means doing something.  It means stepping out in faith.  How often do we not take action because we do not know what to do or say, leaving it to the next person the afflicted person meets to take action?  Self-reflecting?  Too often to count. 

Once again, Jesus teaches us so much in so many ways.  Back to the woman at the well.  He did not just have empathy for her, He gave her the greatest gift – Himself!  He gave her the sustenance she needed to live!  Mary Magdalene was invited into the apostolic circle.  Jesus had choices just as we have choices in these types of situations.  He chose action!  So often, I may acknowledge, but forget, or worse, choose not to take action.

Action is not difficult.  It is having a conversation, writing a note, offering a helping hand.  It is taking of our time, talent or treasures and putting them into action!  The world is full of people who need help, who need us to be compassionate.  Now is the time, my friends!  Now is the time to feel others’ hurt, others’ pain, and then take action to help.  Let us walk in Jesus’ steps and have true compassion!  Let us walk in simple faith!

Dearest Jesus, thank you for modeling the value of compassion.  As I reflect, I know I am not always modeling this behavior.  Please guide me to understand without judgement and to take action! Amen.

Action to Rest

 

Rest!  In today’s society?  That may seem like an oxymoron.  The world seems to be moving faster and faster.  If we don’t ‘keep up’ we may fall behind.  Therefore, we try to keep moving like the Energizer bunny or Dory in “Finding Nemo” who shared that famous quote, “Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.”  Between family responsibilities, children’s responsibilities, work responsibilities and church responsibilities, we can seem as if we are on a treadmill and not be able to get off!  Then the body just gives out – either we just can’t move and have to rest or we get sick and we are forced to rest.  Enter the guilt!  Yes, the guilt if you just need to rest.  Thoughts can rush in as to what we should have been doing while resting or realizing the list you may have made for yourself is not getting accomplished.  In enters the guilt.

 My friend, our God gives us the most wonderful example for rest when He rested on the seventh day of creation.  God spent six days creating this world that we live in.  His creation is what we call our earthly home.  Not just the earth, but all in it.  Yes, every living creature, the sky, the earth, the sea – all of it.  Talk about a level of responsibility!  Then He rested on the Sabboth, the seventh day.  That is what Sunday is all about, the day of rest.  Yet, we tend to cram in as much as we can in a week, even on a Sunday.  When I was young (just a few years ago), stores were not open on Sundays.  You couldn’t ‘head over to the mall’ or just ‘skip into’ a store.  It was like Christmas Day today – nothing was open and you went about your day. 

 Imagine for a moment.  Imagine if you were to truly rest on Sunday, spending the day with family or friends.  Enjoying each other’s company and the wonder of the world around us.  Having an extra cup of coffee or spending time playing a game with the children instead of getting them to soccer practice or dance class.  I have good news everyone.  Rest is not out of our reach.  We need to build it in!

It may mean we don’t overcommit.  It may mean we actually schedule rest into our Sunday, almost as if it is something on our list to do.  It may mean giving yourself permission to put your feet up and close your eyes.  It may mean reflecting back to our Lord and settling into His arms of rest, His arms of comfort and His arms of peace.  He wants this for us, but we need to action it!  God knows, more than anyone, the importance of stopping and resting. He is giving you permission to rest.  Please don’t underestimate this incredible gift. 

 As we enter the Lenten season, with Ash Wednesday upon us, let us build rest into our Sundays.  May we take time to reflect on our Lord and all that He so graciously has given us, including His Son.  It’s time – to take action to rest!

 Dearest Father, we thank you for showing us the importance of rest.  May we mirror your example and build rest into our Sunday.  Help us to focus on you and your gifts.  Help us to enjoy these gifts in a way that will rejuvenate us to walk each day forward in You.  Amen!

Kind Love

 

The last Sunday in February and we are rounding out our monthly series on Love!  1 Corinthians 13 has been aptly named, “The Love Chapter”.  In this chapter, Paul is speaking to the church of Corinth.  Corinth had become morally corrupt, and the word ‘love’ was having less and less meaning.  In walks our friend Paul to help set the record straight.  Paul has a way of just putting it out there!!  During this chapter, Paul outlines what love is, and what it is not.

There are days when I do not give much thought to life outside of my own circle.  When I reflect on that, it is because I have more control over my own circle.  I can react the way I want, I can engage or disengage if I choose.  It is simpler.  Days when I step back and look at the world around me, in a way, we are living in Corinth.  There is good out there, but it seems to be overshadowed by so much hurt, so much destruction and a lack of patience and kindness. 

In walks our verse for today.  Paul shares what love is.  It is patient.  The Oxford definition shares patience as tolerating delay, trouble or suffering without getting angry or upset.  Patience!  Oh, my friends, may I confess, there are days when I lack patience.  Sitting in traffic, waiting for someone, something not going the way “I” want it to proceed – lack of patience arises.  Certainly, I am not showing any love during those situations.  When I think back on those times, I am in ‘my’ circle.  I have control over how I react.  I step back and many times, I lift a prayer to Jesus, asking Him for the patience I am lacking.

Kindness?  We all agree that we are kind.  Defined, kindness is the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.  I regard myself as a kind person.  In fact, I was voted friendliest in high school!  But there is more to kindness than being friendly.  Am I always generous?  Am I always considerate?  When I bring those words into the mix, the evaluation can be a bit more critical – and rightfully so.  Generosity is so much more than material items, it means your time, your emotion, and your forgiveness. 

My friends, we may find the world around us not exuding much patience or kindness.  That can be true.  Yet, it does not mean we need to succumb to that world.  We are God’s children.  We live in His world.  Bring the greatest of what Jesus has given us, love, with us each and every day.  Wake up with a patient heart.  Live the day with kindness.  Show the world you are a child of God and that the love we know we have in Jesus lives with us throughout the day.  We will stumble; we are human!  Yet, if we do our best to move forward with the love that God knows we can, we could actually change the world, even if it is in our own circle.  If we put enough circles together, we can get to infinity.  Let us bring an infinite amount of love to the world! And as Paul says, “Love never fails.”  Let us show we are Christians by our love!!

Dearest Jesus, we live by the knowledge that you loved us so much, that you died on the cross for us – all of us!  May we take that knowledge and live out the love you so abundantly give to us.  May each of our love circles bring the world an infinite amount of love.  In your love-filled name I pray, Amen.

Love Deeply

 

Love is hard.  It is not for the faint hearted.  Whether it is spousal love, sibling love, parent love, children love, friendship love - it can all be hard.  With a spouse, you start your marriage on your wedding day, thinking every day will be that wonderful.  When they bring the new baby home, you may believe you will be close forever.  The support of a parent may feel like you can do anything you want.  The birth of a child has us believing they will love us for a lifetime.  A close friendship can feel as if love is never-ending.  There are times of true joy and exuberance. 

In love, there are other times of disappointment and pain.  Our spouse does not share love the way we expect.  Our siblings turn cold shoulders.  Our parents discipline us.  Our child turns their back.  Our friend walks away.  We enter a love relationship with the expectation of it always being the ‘high’ of our life, never the ‘low.’  The key word in the last sentence is EXPECTATION.  I know I have entered many relationships with the picture-perfect expectation of what “I” think love looks like.  When that picture does not materialize, disappointment sets in.  The result?  Hurt feelings and a sinful nature of thoughts and actions.

Our verse for today shares so much of not when or who we should love, but how we should love.  Any relationship worth cherishing is worth the work, hard work.  What does that look like?  It is time to exit the picture of unicorns and butterflies and focus on the reality of living in a fallen world.  Each of us is a sinner.  Yes, my friends, it is not always the ‘other’ person who is a sinner, we are as well.  Our behaviors, our thoughts, our actions will also yield a sinful life.

This love verse reminds us of that.  As Peter reminded Christians long ago, we need to work had at love each other.  We need to dig deep and remind ourselves why we have this relationship with the other person, and then we need to do what Jesus does for us each minute of each day.  Forgive.  “… love covers a multitude of sins.”  It also covers a multitude of unmet expectations.  If we are setting expectations, let us review them periodically.  If the expectations have been set together with the other person, a check-in may be worth conducting.  If expectations are set silently, then there needs to be a check-in of how realistic they are, and certainly a conversation of sharing.

Love conquers all.  It conquers the hard stuff.  It conquers our sinful nature.  It conquers unrealistic expectations.  It conquers disappointment.  I cannot imagine how hard I have made it for Jesus to love me!  My sins, the constant disappointment, the actions, and words that I am sure leave Him saying, “Why did she say/do that?”  As I reflect on my own sinful nature, I have to also turn to my Savior, who rushes in and whose love does not just cover a multitude of my sins, but ALL of my sins.  Let us take a page from Jesus’ book, once again, on how to live our lives.  May we love so deeply that sins are covered by our love.  The strength to do that can only come from our simple faith in Jesus – He will provide.

Dearest Jesus, thank you for being our guide of how to love each other here on earth.  May we deeply love all those around us, knowing that our own sinful nature is as strong as their sins.  May our love cover a multitude of sins.  Amen!