I remember helping my little brother memorize this verse for his Sunday School class. Since I wasn't in his class I didn't have the benefit of the teaching that went along with it, but today as I read it I heard myself saying it in the King James Version we were using. It's funny how I was helping him learn it, but after all these years I can still remember it. I think in my mind at the time I was more focused on the "not stealing" part, but today as I read it afresh I saw more of what was being said. My reason for working is not just so I can have more of what I want, but that I would have something to give to those in need.
I don't know about you, but honestly, when I get a raise my first thought isn't that now I'll have more to share, but where do I want to put that extra. I am saddened by all the homeless. My heart goes out to those living in tents under the overpasses as we drive into the city. I am overwhelmed by the great need around me. I mentioned to my husband recently as we drove by multiple encampments where people were living wherever they could find a space how it would be easy to get discouraged thinking I could never make a difference. But my helping the one at a time put together with your helping the one at a time, and my neighbor and my co-worker and my cousin and...really could make a difference.
In this whole discourse the writer talks about us becoming more like Jesus, to put off our selfish way of thinking, to be made new in the attitude of our minds. How do I walk that out in real life? How do I change the way I think--about how something affects me, about what I should do, about what they might think of me--to simply thinking of others--how their situation affects their emotions, their physical well-being? I think it's literally one thought at a time. 2 Corinthians 10:5 tells us to take our thoughts captive to make them obedient to Christ. Once I realize a thought I'm having is all about ME I can now make a choice. Do I continue in that vein or will I turn my thoughts around to other-centered thinking?
Jesus was always thinking of the other person, of how He could minister to them. I want to be more like Jesus.
So I am going to put my big girl shoes on and choose to do something useful--to put off my old way of thinking (about myself) and do some sharing with those truly in need. It may be a hug, a bag of groceries, a simple thing like eye contact--letting them know they are not invisible or something more significant with my next bonus, but I CAN do this!
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