Having a Heart in a Sometimes Heartless World
Day 193 – Brain renovation, Part 2
Scripture focus: He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:2-4
Narrowly defining what it means to live well in the land God has given us may entangle us in the performance trap. But it isn’t the only trap that we must escape if we want to live vigorously. Somewhere along the way, we may come to believe that OTHERS MUST TREAT US WELL. Seriously, I prefer for others to treat me well. I enjoy relationships with folks who understand the basic principles of living within the limits of loving God and others AND practice these principles in all their affairs.
But here’s the deal. Nowhere in scripture does it say, “Others must treat you well – or bad things will happen to them!” Trust me. I’ve looked. It’s not in there.
Desperately devoted followers who want to experience the abundant life on God’s terms discover other principles in scripture (while they’re looking for those verses about what other people are supposed to do). We realize that God speaks to us about how we are to treatothers. Yep.
Deep down inside us, the Holy Spirit cries out words of instruction and encouragement. He doesn’t say, “Hey, for the good life, make sure others treat you well.” No. The Holy Spirit speaks the words of God, and he says, things like –
· Love your enemies
· Speak words that build up, not tear down
· Be quick to listen and slow to speak
· Be kind
And a host of other instructions and guiding principles – none of which have a ding dang thing to do with other people treating you well. So if we want to develop a big heart, we need a better brain. We need to focus our attention on our part in God’s story. And let other people choose their own epic adventure.
Recommended reading: 1 Chronicles 12 and 13 in the morning; Acts 28 and Proverbs 19 in the evening
Narrowly defining what it means to live well in the land God has given us may entangle us in the performance trap. But it isn’t the only trap that we must escape if we want to live vigorously. Somewhere along the way, we may come to believe that OTHERS MUST TREAT US WELL. Seriously, I prefer for others to treat me well. I enjoy relationships with folks who understand the basic principles of living within the limits of loving God and others AND practice these principles in all their affairs.
But here’s the deal. Nowhere in scripture does it say, “Others must treat you well – or bad things will happen to them!” Trust me. I’ve looked. It’s not in there.
Desperately devoted followers who want to experience the abundant life on God’s terms discover other principles in scripture (while they’re looking for those verses about what other people are supposed to do). We realize that God speaks to us about how we are to treatothers. Yep.
Deep down inside us, the Holy Spirit cries out words of instruction and encouragement. He doesn’t say, “Hey, for the good life, make sure others treat you well.” No. The Holy Spirit speaks the words of God, and he says, things like –
· Love your enemies
· Speak words that build up, not tear down
· Be quick to listen and slow to speak
· Be kind
And a host of other instructions and guiding principles – none of which have a ding dang thing to do with other people treating you well. So if we want to develop a big heart, we need a better brain. We need to focus our attention on our part in God’s story. And let other people choose their own epic adventure.
Recommended reading: 1 Chronicles 12 and 13 in the morning; Acts 28 and Proverbs 19 in the evening
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