This week our younger children are walking around each day with small paper keys on a string around their necks. On each key is a thought and task for them to do for someone else. They are learning in Kids church about not being selfish and to put others first. On each key are things like “Do someone else’s job, or “spend your free time helping” someone, or let someone take their turn first”.
Being a follower of Jesus is not about a whole lot of rules and can’t do’s. It is about love, and what true, genuine love looks like, talks like and acts like.
Time spent with Jesus, following his example (you can read about Him in the bible in Matthew, Mark , Luke and John), will begin to motivate you to love like He loves. We don’t have to love in our strength or even out of our goodness. Where we run out, His love floods in. The key is to let Jesus in, and let Him take over. Be honest, “How is doing things your way working out for you?”
As you choose to live with love as your focus you discover that “Small keys open big doors”. When we have the attitude of love, honor and preferring others before ourselves it opens a whole world of joy, peace and enormous blessing in our life and in the lives of those around us.
It may seem like a small key to let another person go first in the line, or to give up your time to help someone else, but these things open up our hearts and the doors of heaven.
Here are small keys to get you started over the week:
Monday: Do someone else’s chore at work or home
Tuesday: Let someone else take their turn first
Wednesday: Share your things with someone else
Thursday: Spend your free time helping someone
Friday: Do someone’s else chore at home or work, or for your neighbor. (it doesn’t have to be complicated. It could be as simple as bringing their bins in off the street after bin day)
Saturday: Let someone know you appreciate them in your life. Tell them how awesome they are. Send them a note, text, or give them a call.
Sunday: Think up your own way to put others first and do it.
Jesus says it this way “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. (John 13:34)
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres”. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
“Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other” (Romans 12:10)
Remember “Small keys open Big doors”.
Prayer: Jesus I open up my heart to your love. Fill up all the dry barren places in my life so that your love will flood in. I want to love like you do. Forgive me where I have been selfish and wanted my own way, hurting those around me in the process. Show me where I can prefer and honor someone else today. In Jesus Name. Amen.
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