BE EASY ON PEOPLE

 

August 12, 2024

Lord, I do not know what to ask of you; only you know what I need. I simply present myself to you; I open my heart to you. My only desire this day, is to accomplish your will. Amen

Luke 6:37-38  (The Message)

“Be easy on people; you’ll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity”.

I know the verses above sound a little different to us. Luke 6:37-38 usually reads like this, “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (NIV)

The point of this text from Luke is that among the very best gifts God ever gives is the gift of oneanother, the gift of the people that are around us.

Let that sink in. The people in your life—your family, friends, colleagues, even your casual acquaintances—are among the best gifts God has given you. And Scripture is clear about how we’re to treat every one of them. “A new commandment I give to you,” implored Jesus, “that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” (John 13:34).

Jesus often spoke to His followers about self-identification. He taught that it wouldn't be our professed beliefs or the good deeds we planned for the future that defined us. Rather, He said our identity would be evident through our love for others. It's easy to assume there's more to it, but there really isn't.

It appears that the significance of our actions, as disciples of Jesus, lies in how we treat those around us. This, in essence, governs the joy we experience in life.

To consider the needs of a spouse or a friend or a mother-in-law—and act in love. 

To notice the needs of a peer or client at work or a next-door neighbor—and act in love. 

The message we receive is that the Holy Spirit will guide our hearts to show compassion and love towards those who serve us daily, whether it is the one who passes us our morning coffee at the drive thru, the cashier at the grocery store, the Bus, Taxi or Uber driver that get us to our destinations, customer service representative that helps us find the answers we are looking for, or the garbage and recycle collector in our neighborhoods.

God's word tells us that often Jesus was moved with compassion for the people with whom he came into contact. I know that our high tech, fast-paced society forces us to pass many people each day without ever asking ourselves, much less asking God, if they could use a caring and compassionate touch, a voice of encouragement, a place at someone's table.

So back to the challenge of todays reading, “Be easy on people; you’ll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity” (Luke 6:37-38 MSG).

So, let's notice the people that come into close proximity to us this week—say, within two or three meters?

And then, will you imagine a large table with seats for each of them?

And will you do what you’d do with anyone sitting at a table in your home? Will you learn their names? Will you treat them with care and listen to what they say?

With the Holy Spirit in your heart, will you try to discern what they need most, connection, belonging, kindness, mercy, understanding, encouragement? And will you prayfully consider how you might be a small part of meeting those needs?

Just see how doing this impacts on your Joy!

Let's Pray

Loving God, teach me to love and care for those that need you today. Those who are passed over and do not feel love unless I love them for you. Make Christ love for others be felt through me today in your name and by your power I pray these things. Amen