Gentleness
When you interact with someone, Colossians says we should do it in grace, that how we speak to them should bring out the best in them. Particularly in a tense moment or one with an unbeliever. Being kind with someone when your instinct is to lash out or correct is gentleness in action.
Therefore, when anger begins to brew in you and in the other person, it’s our responsibility to diffuse the tension. Choose to turn the table by responding in kindness and gentleness.
Whether it’s a relationship with another person or as a part of the body of Christ, choose gentleness to guide you. Doing this will speak volumes to those around you and help foster unity in your relationships.
Humility
It’s in humility we consider others better than ourselves. That’s hard if we are honest. It’s human nature, in our condition of sin, to think about ourselves first. It’s why personal expenses are covered before an offering goes to missions.
Or why some look for anything to get them out of a service project to help the homeless. Or why climbing the corporate ladder is usually a bit messy and hurtful.
Putting others before yourself is hard and requires sacrifice. It means stepping back and allowing others to take the credit. It manifests in celebrating the success of others when they are recognized. It shows up in church on Sunday when you commit to volunteer.
It’s this very practice that cultivates unity. When you begin to put others first and to serve the people around you, you are fostering an environment of connectivity. Furthermore, practicing it will go far in any of your relationships. Go the extra mile to serve your spouse, friend, or coworker and you’ll see unity ignited.
Humility is hard but start serving others and direct all your focus onto God, and you’ll see the “me” inside you begin to grow faint in the distance. In addition, you’ll see unity begin to take shape.
Following God’s Plan
We may not feel ready or certain about making a move, but God lovingly gives us a chance to flex our faith and trust him for the outcome.
Scripture has this to say about following God’s plan, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see . . . By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going” (Hebrews 11:1, 8, emphasis added). Are you in the middle of one of life’s surprises right now? Are you at a place you never expected to be? Are you unsure of what will happen next?
Welcome to reality.
While the myth that we should “know” God’s plan for our lives still floats around Christian circles, the truth is quite different.
We live by faith and not by sight (see 2 Corinthians 5:7). If you knew every aspect of God’s plan for your life, clearly labeled in triplicate form, why would you need faith?
The moment of absolute certainty rarely comes. Consider Abraham. He didn’t have a clue where he was going. But he went anyway. Think of Samuel, whom God called as a child. Do you think a young boy understood the scope of God’s plan for his life? Certainly not. But these people moved forward in faith, as did all the spiritual heroes.
We must move forward. In preparation, we pray and seek godly counsel. We search the Scriptures and meditate on God’s truths. And then it comes time to decide. To make a move. We may not feel ready or certain, but God lovingly gives us a chance to flex our faith and trust him for the outcome.
The Bible is about people in a fluid, dynamic relationship with God. It’s not a treasure map. It’s not a blueprint spelling out Steps A, B and C for God’s plan for you. Instead of outlining methods to find God’s plan, it teaches the principles of finding God’s heart. The living God leads through relationship. When we understand this, we start to seek his face, not his hand. We stop wanting to find God’s plan so that we might find God instead. No longer capriciously wanting the “answer,” we want the one who knows the answer.
Reflect:
- Jeremiah 29:13
Love
Stand Still
STAND STILL MY SOUL, FOR SO YOUR LORD COMMANDS:
-Author Unknown
Be Still
Are you uncertain about which direction you should go? Take your question to God and receive guidance from either the light of his smile or the cloud of his refusal. You must get alone with Him, where the light and the darkness of this world cannot interfere and where the opinions of others cannot reach you. You must also have the courage to wait in silent expectation, even when everyone around you is insisting on an immediate decision or action. If you will do these thing, the will of God will become clear to you. And you will have a deeper concept of who He is, having more insight into his nature and His heart of love. It will be a heavenly experience a precious eternal privilege, and the rich reward for the long hours of waiting.
Where Is God?
Watch & Pray
Obedience
Obedience is the fruit of faith, Patience is the early blossom on the tree of faith.