A Life Worth Living

I want to remind us of what is the very most important thing of all in this life – It’s PEOPLE!!!  The entire story of the Bible is centered around people – the Creation of people, the fall of people, and the redemption of people.  And at the core of this story is LOVE. We are called to love others as ourselves.

Ask yourself: over the last five years have I become a more loving person?  Am I more generous with my time, my money, my possessions?  Would the people around me agree that I am more patient, more kind, that I do not keep a record of wrongs, that I am more filled with grace when people mess up around me, that I am more forgiving, and the list goes on and on.  This is why our entire lives is about how we can get better at Loving People! 

Last week I did a funeral service for my friend’s mother who passed away at the age of 91.  The thing that struck me the most was how each person described her.  They said that she always thought of others more than herself.  I thought that was one of the greatest things that one could say about another person.  Then, I thought, I still have a lot to learn and plenty of room for growth – as we all do.

The Bible captures this in Philippians 2:3-5 where it says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus…” (NIV) 

I want to encourage you to think about these verses and think about the people in your lives.  What changes do I need to make in my life so that I can be more loving, more others focused, and how can I think more like Christ when it comes to my relationships? 

We get one shot at this life on earth and each day is a gift from God so with whatever time we have left, may we look to inspire others to reach their dreams, to love others in their otherness, to encourage others to realize their full potential, and to extend grace to others so they just might come to know Christ through your actions.

Make a decision today to start making People your priority and keep learning new ways to become more loving – this would be a life worth living!

   

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