Others: Live for the Good of Others

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With Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years coming up, we are more likely to interact with family and friends; some who we might not have seen all year. The Holidays can become chaotic, with milestones being announced, unresolved conflicts being mentioned, the urge to watch our favorite football game, or to answer the golden but awkward question by our favorite aunt.

This month’s focus is on the word “others” where we just take a second (or more) to focus not on ourselves, but on others. Philippians 2:3 (NIV) states “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves”. I used an acronym generator to create an acronym for the word “others” which the results said “Outreach through Humility, Empathy, Righteousness, and Service. We can bring in Outreach through the holidays by checking in with our family members and friends. The year could be overwhelming and with a simple “How are you?” could make the gathering less stressful. The one cousin you might have an unresolved conflict with, you can bring in Humility in by listening and choosing to be a peacemaker rather than a peacebreaker. The milestones that might be announced might bring in grief for a family or friend, checking in with them by allowing Empathy can help lighten the load. That golden question by our aunt that we might be dreaded to answer, or we might be tempted to bring in sarcasm can be our lesson to respond with integrity and kindness, even though it might hurt. Finally service, which can be small but mighty and meaningful, shows the love of Christ while being in a stressful but loving situation.

Prayer for the Holidays: Dear God, as we go into the holiday season, please allow us to bring the focus away from ourselves and unto others. Give us the strength and courage to practice Outreach through Humility, Empathy, Righteousness, and Service as we interact with family and friends, and even strangers around our communities so that we can shine our light that they may follow you. Allow the peace of Jesus to run through our hearts so that your presence is flowing through our gatherings. Amen.

Bible Reading:
Serve Others with Joy. (Matthew 25:35-40, Galatians 6:9-10)
Love in action (1 John 3:16-18, Romans 12:9-13)
Encouraging one another (Hebrews 10:24-25, 1 Thessalonians 5:11)
Sacrificial living (Mark 10:43-45, Luke 10:25-37)

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