“I am thinking up a plan, that when it is hatched, will bring blessing to the whole wide world.” - William Booth (Founder: Salvation Army)
My week in a nutshell: Monday afternoon I received a two page letter from a parent, explaining why her child’s club fees are a couple of months in arrears, and why she didn’t honor her promise to pay last month. As I was reading the letter, tears welled up in my eyes, realizing what this child has been through this year. Monday evening I learned that the teen girl in my sister’s foster care was admitted to hospital, and that she is in a diabetic coma. The doctors can’t exactly say when she will wake up. Tuesday morning, I accidentally drove over my other sister’s dog. In a desperate state, I phoned sister number one (the one dealing with the sick child) to assist me taking the dog to the vet, because I first wanted to determine the extent of the injuries before I notified sister number two (the owner of the dog). “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22-23
Why am I sharing this?
Firstly, because I think we can all relate with chaos and drama in our lives! But secondly, we all need to make important decisions on a daily basis. And the outcome of our decisions will all depend on our character; that deep hidden part of you that defines you. Character is what people see in us, and true character is best revealed in a crisis situation! What is your reaction to an emergency? How do you handle a disaster? And how do you treat people when it is crunch time at work? “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” – Colossians 3:12-15
In all three scenarios above, all parties involved had the opportunity to act totally selfish, but also the opportunity to humble themselves and act in a serving manner. The chance to support someone else, or the choice to not get involved. The option to be self-centered and arrogant, or the option to portray God’s character and to rather act in love. And only if your character is one of deep anchored love and compassion for your fellowmen, will you be able to handle a difficult situation with love and compassion. We need to choose (like William Booth) to live a meaningful life, with the main aim to bring about change, and to become a blessing to everyone we meet! And no matter how difficult life gets, and no matter how many times we stumble and act without love, we need to keep our focus on God’s character.
“By this we know [and have come to understand the depth and essence of His precious] love: that He willingly laid down His life for us [because He loved us]. And we ought to lay down our lives for the believers.” – 1 John 3:16 AMP
God not only loved us, He also commanded us to love. To have a character of love. To act in love. To react in love. To live in love. And to obey His love commandment!
Be blessed
Yolandi
Why am I sharing this?
Firstly, because I think we can all relate with chaos and drama in our lives! But secondly, we all need to make important decisions on a daily basis. And the outcome of our decisions will all depend on our character; that deep hidden part of you that defines you. Character is what people see in us, and true character is best revealed in a crisis situation! What is your reaction to an emergency? How do you handle a disaster? And how do you treat people when it is crunch time at work? “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” – Colossians 3:12-15
In all three scenarios above, all parties involved had the opportunity to act totally selfish, but also the opportunity to humble themselves and act in a serving manner. The chance to support someone else, or the choice to not get involved. The option to be self-centered and arrogant, or the option to portray God’s character and to rather act in love. And only if your character is one of deep anchored love and compassion for your fellowmen, will you be able to handle a difficult situation with love and compassion. We need to choose (like William Booth) to live a meaningful life, with the main aim to bring about change, and to become a blessing to everyone we meet! And no matter how difficult life gets, and no matter how many times we stumble and act without love, we need to keep our focus on God’s character.
“By this we know [and have come to understand the depth and essence of His precious] love: that He willingly laid down His life for us [because He loved us]. And we ought to lay down our lives for the believers.” – 1 John 3:16 AMP
God not only loved us, He also commanded us to love. To have a character of love. To act in love. To react in love. To live in love. And to obey His love commandment!
Be blessed
Yolandi