Write From My
Heart / December 15,
2020 / Audits &
Resolutions – Day 15
Question: How
easily do I become absorbed in the negativity of others?
1 Peter 4:7-11 (NLT) The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.
Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 (NLT) Even so, I
have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat,
drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given
them, and to accept their lot in life. And it is a good thing to receive wealth
from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your
lot in life—this is indeed a gift from God. God keeps such people so busy enjoying
life that they take no time to brood over the past.
It is not often that I use lengthy passages for devotions. Furthermore, upon first glance, it would seem these two selections have little in common. I believe this is in part due to the misuse of the Ecclesiastes passage. Too often we use the Ecclesiastes passage as the “Eat, drink, and be merry” stand-by and see little else of value within its words.
In my heart, both passages tell me… Don’t quit! Don’t give up! Keep working! Keep
using your talents! Then, you won’t have time to get trodden down under the
negativity of others. Moreover, if everything you do is through the strength the
Lord provides, then all power and glory will be his as it truly belongs. The
simplest of encouraging words to one another brings ripples of great value in ways
you may never know.
Perhaps we could use a reminder: Excerpts from “Christmas Bells” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1865), later set to music by John Baptiste Calkin (1872) as “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.”
And in despair I bowed my head; “There is no peace on earth,” I said;
“For hate is strong, and mocks the song of peace on earth, good-will to men!”
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: “God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The Wrong shall fail, The Right prevail, with peace on earth, good-will to men.”
Resolution: Diligently use my talents and abilities.
Gracious Heavenly Father,
When my heart grows heavy because I know your coming is soon and I know this inevitably means things may get worse before they ever get better—my confidence comes in knowing you have provided the most creative solution. Be earnest and disciplined in prayer. Love each other. Stay busy with work that leads others to Christ. The turbulent times and troubling storms ahead (and even the negativity of others) are no match for your strength and comfort.
In the name of Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior, Amen.
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