A Necessary Change

Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:12

God’s principles are such that they don’t always come naturally to us. We live in a world where needs run high, expectations run deep, and longings run rampant. How easy it is to live our lives looking for others to fix us, heal us, encourage us, affirm us, carry us, restore us, and just plain love us. While we are looking to receive, God is urging us to give.

I have often looked at a verse like Matthew 7:12 and limited its meaning to treating people the way I want to be treated. The idea (in my thinking) was that if I do that they will reciprocate. In a sense, I am simply giving to get. God’s ways are higher!

Last night this verse hit me in a way I have not been able to escape. I have pondered it through out the night and it still has my attention this morning. What is God doing with it? He is causing me to search my heart and ask myself what it is I am looking for others to do or be for me. Then He is taking that “list” and helping me to see the necessity of doing and being exactly that to others. For instance, start encouraging others, speak affirming words to others, be upbeat and positive toward others, show an interest in others, nurture others. Why? So they will in turn be that way toward me? No! That would mean I am dependent on them and connected to them to meet my deepest heart needs. God knows that is an endless cycle and doesn’t work.

My Christian life is meant to be such that I live so connected to the heart of God that He fulfills the needs of my heart. As I take in what He has to offer me on a daily basis I am free to then live for others out of ministry instead of deprivation, hunger, and emptiness. God will give me what people are unable or unwilling to give, and out of the abundance of what He gives me I can turn around and lavish it on others. This is a new thought for me and one that is meant to change the way I have been living in relationship to others. May God guide me in the process of seeing it become a reality!

Father, I am catching a glimpse of one of Your principles this morning that is about to revolutionize my life. May I live out its truths today! Amen.