ODJ: company you keep
January 10, 2011
We think of your faithful work, your loving deeds (1 Thessalonians 1:3).
READ: 1 John 3:16-19
O ne of the highlights of living in East Africa is meeting men and women from around the world who come through the region to participate in short or long-term missions. Today, for example, while sitting in a Kampala, Uganda, coffee shop, I met a young married couple from Charleston, South Carolina. Amanda and Michael recently moved to Uganda to help their church build a medical center in one of the country’s most impoverished areas. I enjoyed learning about the couple’s work and how the Lord had led them to leave home and serve in Africa. Our conversation reminded me that whether in our own neighborhood or abroad, it’s inspiring to hear about and spend time with people who have experienced God’s love and are in turn sharing it with others. Such individuals strive to live out the essence of 1 John 3 by enthusiastically . . . • Giving up their lives and comforts in behalf of their brothers and sisters around the world (v.16). • Demonstrating God’s love by sharing their money and resources with the poor—showing compassion to brothers and sisters in need (v.17). • Demonstrating love through their actions rather than merely professing love to others (v.18). • Letting their behavior convey God’s truth (v.19). In his bestselling book Today Matters, John C. Maxwell writes, “It’s a fact that you become more like the people you spend time with. If you desire to increase your faith, spend time with others who exercise theirs. Learn from them. Find out how they think.” And, I might add, how they act. As God nudges you to engage in service to others, be intentional about building friendships with people who are already doing so and who can lead you by their example. —Roxanne Robbins
Schedule a meeting with someone who is actively serving others. What steps should you take to serve others in a similar way?
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