"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." Philippians 2:4
Earlier today, I was waiting in line at the post office. I was the second person in line, behind a lady who was trying to mail a package. Now, normally I don't mind waiting in line very much. It's just a fact of life. But what was bothering me today was that the clerk was trying to help this lady, but she was on her cell phone, chatting away with someone else, and not being very responsive to the clerk. I could tell that the clerk was trying to get her to pay attention to the package, but this lady simply wasn't catching the hint.
I've seen this happening more and more. You go to the grocery store, and the same thing happens. You see an open spot at the gas pump, and someone zips in to take that spot. I've even seen people parking in handicapped spots without any indication that they are handicapped.
It seems that, more and more, people simply do not know how to show consideration toward others. I understand that we all are like this, since we are all part of God's broken, fallen, sinful creation. We're always going to battle the desire to do what is best for us, even if it comes at the expense of someone else. And yet, it truly seems that very few people really understand what it means to show consideration toward others.
I really like this verse from Philippians I quoted above. It means that there are important things in your life, but that each of us also needs to understand that others have important needs, as well. In the context of the chapter before this one, and in the verses that follow, Paul paints a picture of people who truly work at looking for the good of others in their life. In doing this, God's people reflect Jesus, doing it, not for our own good, but because it is good for others.
We don't do this as though it builds up some account for ourselves in God's eyes. The fact is, that is what Jesus did for us in His perfect life, death, and resurrection. We don't show consideration toward others because it makes us better in God's eyes, but because God's Spirit works in us to cause us to look toward the interests and needs of others. We will resist and battle against this, but that is also part of the life of one who is claimed by God through Jesus and the cross.
Where can you show consideration toward others in your life? I challenge you to find three or four of those opportunities today, and make the most of them!
Earlier today, I was waiting in line at the post office. I was the second person in line, behind a lady who was trying to mail a package. Now, normally I don't mind waiting in line very much. It's just a fact of life. But what was bothering me today was that the clerk was trying to help this lady, but she was on her cell phone, chatting away with someone else, and not being very responsive to the clerk. I could tell that the clerk was trying to get her to pay attention to the package, but this lady simply wasn't catching the hint.
I've seen this happening more and more. You go to the grocery store, and the same thing happens. You see an open spot at the gas pump, and someone zips in to take that spot. I've even seen people parking in handicapped spots without any indication that they are handicapped.
It seems that, more and more, people simply do not know how to show consideration toward others. I understand that we all are like this, since we are all part of God's broken, fallen, sinful creation. We're always going to battle the desire to do what is best for us, even if it comes at the expense of someone else. And yet, it truly seems that very few people really understand what it means to show consideration toward others.
I really like this verse from Philippians I quoted above. It means that there are important things in your life, but that each of us also needs to understand that others have important needs, as well. In the context of the chapter before this one, and in the verses that follow, Paul paints a picture of people who truly work at looking for the good of others in their life. In doing this, God's people reflect Jesus, doing it, not for our own good, but because it is good for others.
We don't do this as though it builds up some account for ourselves in God's eyes. The fact is, that is what Jesus did for us in His perfect life, death, and resurrection. We don't show consideration toward others because it makes us better in God's eyes, but because God's Spirit works in us to cause us to look toward the interests and needs of others. We will resist and battle against this, but that is also part of the life of one who is claimed by God through Jesus and the cross.
Where can you show consideration toward others in your life? I challenge you to find three or four of those opportunities today, and make the most of them!
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