Philippians 2:3-4 (Nlt) Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
Some people might think taking an interest in others is a good excuse to gossip, but it can’t be that, can it, because scripture says very strongly not to gossip! When we look out for our own interests we’re finding ways to progress or improve our own lives, so taking an interest in others must mean doing the same for them as we would do for ourselves.
Jesus said a similar thing, Matthew 7:12 Do to others what you would like them to do for you. He wants us to be helping others get ahead, helping them to rise above their circumstances if we can help in some way. We can lift them up to our loving Heavenly Father and pray for them to be helped by Him most of all, but at the same time we have to remember we are His hands and feet wherever we are.
A man was standing in a shop queue and everyone was irritated at how long the till operator was taking. When he reached her, he told her she was coping well, started chatting and she burst into tears. It transpired her baby was in the hospital and she was worried sick, so he offered to pray for her and the baby there and then. The next lady behind in the queue happened to know a nurse at the hospital and offered to find out how baby was doing. That till operator was comforted and helped because someone cared enough to ask. 😊
God is reminding us to look beyond our own immediate world and what’s happening to us, beyond our busyness, and to be sensitive to what’s going on around us with other people, to see their distress or discomfort and try to help in some way. Sometimes all they need is a hug and a prayer to know you care about them and for others it will mean more support. Some people I know are naturally gifted that way, but for others of us we may need a bit more practice!😊
Lord help us to be sensitive to the nudge of Your Holy Spirit wherever we happen to be, and humble enough to look out for other people no matter where they’re at in life. Help us to see them through Your kind, compassionate eyes and to help them as and when we can. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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