We’ve had several occasions already this morning to exercise this verse’s advice: from Ephesians 4:2-3: “Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Always keep yourselves united in the Holy Spirit, and bind yourselves together with peace.” Yesterday we attended a meeting of small group leaders of our church. Ev and I have led a group of seniors for over ten years. while we have lost a few members to heaven, the others are a strong group of believers who hold each other accountable. One of the things we were cautioned to watch for in our groups is something which has often plagued me: the Christian who is morally upright, probably has attended and participated and even led in the church for years, but who is sometimes seen as judgmental and critical and lacking in kindness. I can be that way. I can be so interested in the mission that I am not always missional. I am not always winsome. I keep praying for that grace.
I’m doing a few things to correct this attitude. As many of you know, we’ve recently moved to a senior living facility. It’s a great mission field. There are many who are alone, and as someone yesterday mentioned, there is an undercurrent of anxiety about the “what if’s” of the elderly. I am determined to portray kindness and to look for opportunities to encourage. When our group begins to meet next week, I intend to be thankful in new ways for those in our group who prayed us through this huge life-transforming experience we’ve just had. We are thankful for those who helped us move stuff, did repairs on our house so it would sell quickly, and encouraged us every step of the way. It is our pleasure to return the favor when we can.
I am sending good morning verses to our grown children who are teachers and to our granddaughter who is beginning middle school. I used the Ephesians one today. I’m hoping it is helpful to them that I am praying them through the day.
With the news stations repeating and rehearsing negativity all day, it is a good buffer to keep encouragement to the forefront. In no way is this meant to add stars to my crown. I need these reminders perhaps more than those who have never heard the Good News of Jesus in the first place. I need to greet the waitress who’s been up since before dawn, the stock boy in the grocery store, or the neighbor limping along with her cane and trying to empty the filled trunk of her car after her grocery-store run this morning. If we can spread a little cheer and give comfort and attention with the humility this verse suggests (the right attitude), then life will be indeed filled with love.
But, we need to rely on the ever-present Holy Spirit to accomplish everything with His help and for His benefit. Only then can we walk humbly with gentleness and patience, for indeed, none of us is perfect–even when we present to the world our “best” attempts at being so. We must guard against the Pharisaical attitude that tarnishes that image and makes us, in Jesus’ words, “whitewashed sepulchers. Heaven and Holy Spirit forbid!
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