Thursday, September 5, 2013

Thursday’s Musings: Living a Life of Thoughtful Care


Galatians 6:9 (CEB) Let’s not get tired of doing good, because in time we’ll have a harvest if we don’t give up.

Some time ago I wrote this phrase in my notes: Live lives of thoughtful care.  I think this must be a part of our response as Christians to God’s love and care of us.  On a scale of caring there are two extremes – those who live only for their own pleasure and those who ignore their own true needs as they serve others.  While some like Mother Theresa might be called to a life totally devoted to service, most of us are healthiest when we are in the middle ground.  A pastor once told me and his other church leaders to take time for ourselves because one can’t minister from an empty cup.  Living a life of thoughtful care means to actively seek ways to help others using one’s God-given gifts and graces.  It also means balancing self-care and care of others.  Many are willing to help another if asked or if the opportunity presents itself, but don’t go out of their way to look for a place where there is need for help. Churches with this attitude eventually die.  The other Sunday one of our sermon scriptures told of Jesus instructing his dinner host to invite the poor, the maimed and the lame to his dinner parties instead of just friends and family who could repay him for his hospitality. That should also hold true for helping others.  Let’s move beyond just helping friends and family to helping those who cannot repay our kindness.  God remembers those acts and will take that into account at the resurrection of the righteous.

Loving God, thank you for your blessings.  You give us many abilities and then call us to use them to love others and to help them as we would want to be loved and helped. We ask you to open our hearts to ways in which we may help others.  In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

Have a lovely day,
Paige

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