I admit it. I’m selfish. My thoughts default toward me, my well-being and comfort. It’s not that I want to be selfish. In my heart I embrace the journey to be selfless and think of others and God first.
But that’s easier said than done when faced with the hard places. Offenses, losses, changes.
I get tired, worn out, frustrated and think: Why me? When will it end? I can’t do this. How can I make this go away? I wish that other person would “fall in a pit” so my misery would end.
My actions reflect my thought pattern: Harsh words. Judgments against those around me. Impatience with those I love. Anger coloring my interactions.
Culture screams that it’s all about me. That pain is bad and must be avoided at all costs. That it’s okay to be harsh, judgmental, impatient and angry with those who cross my path if they get in the way of my goal to avoid pain, discomfort and inconvenience.
The word of God says something different.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Chris…who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
What if we thought differently than the world around us?
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.”Philippians 2:3-7
Does that mean love the offender? Jesus did.
“While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8b
Does that mean help the hurting when they demand our time? Jesus did.
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”Matthew 9:36
Does that mean speaking the truth of the gospel when people make it hard for us because we believe in him? The apostles did.
“…Peter and John replied, ‘Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.’” Acts 4:19-20
People are watching. Literally. Have you ever been on YouTube and seen all the stuff people catch on camera then share with the world?
Whether caught on video camera and shown to the world or seen by our neighbor over the back fence, if possible, the enemy will use our actions to slander Christ.
Doubters and unbelievers are watching to see how we will respond to life and will often make their decision to follow Him or not based on how we live.
The bible says… “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors…”2 Corinthians 5:20a
What if those watching saw
Kindness and compassion instead of judgment and criticism?
Forgiveness instead of anger?
Kind words instead of ugliness spewing from our mouths?
Trust in God in the middle of trials and pain?
In what area do you struggle the most to respond
as an ambassador for Christ?
All scripture quoted is from the NIV
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