“Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone” (1 Thessalonians 5:14 NLT).
That, my friends, is one tall order. Lots to do, wouldn’t you agree? Seemingly impossible, in regards to some we might be called to deal with on a daily basis. But what really struck me is, of all the instruction given, I don’t see any of the tasks I’ve assigned to myself. Odd jobs like…
—writing off those who have burned me previously.
—bad-mouthing those whose lifestyles bring about their chaotic and frantic problems.
—ignoring, avoiding or taking the long (and I mean long) way around the church to avoid those I don’t have the time to listen to.
—refusing to sign-up for projects with slackers.
—considering myself just a tad more important than others.
I’ve come to realize this morning that I have lots to do, and I have plenty of time to do it if I ditch some of the self-assigned, unimportant, against God’s will kind of things I’ve been busying myself with doing.
Malinda Edgell
Illinois
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