Each of us should please our neighbor in order to further his well-being.
-Romans 15:2
Thoughts on today’s verse…
Being frustrated and dissatisfied with life can stem from a myriad of problems. However, for many of us, these disappointments are symptoms that we have focused too much on ourselves and allowed ourselves to become angry with life. We have forgotten to count our blessings, have forgotten to thank God, have become silent in praising our Father and have forgotten to help those around us. Thinking about others is the life of Christ, and if we are to live a life shaped like Jesus, we must live for others. When we follow their example, our actions make a difference in the lives of those we bless, and we find ourselves greatly blessed as well. Let’s take the focus off ourselves and focus on blessing our neighbors! As the ancient Christian hymn quoted by Paul reminds us:
In your relationships with one another, have the mindset of Christ: who, despite being in God’s nature, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited for one’s own advantage; Rather, He made Himself nothing by taking on the nature of a servant, being created in human likeness. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:6-8)
My prayer…
Holy and incomparable God, help me to see the brokenness, hurt, and difficulties in life around me. Please help me also to see the blessings, joys, and reasons to be thankful that You have placed in my life. I ask for the help of the Holy Spirit to humble myself and find ways to bless others who desperately need to experience the joy of your love and grace. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
