Do Good To Others

Is it just me, or does anyone else out there need a “pick-me-up” every now and again?

Some mornings I don’t even want to crawl out of bed – even with a beautiful sunrise – knowing what I’ll have to face through the day.

I know I’m not alone.

I also know there are many people around you and me that feel the same way about the daily grind.

I know also that most of them feel alone in facing the challenges that lie before them.

That’s the human connection we all share with those around us – at school or at work or at the grocery store, even at home and church.

A coworker from another department asked me today in passing, “How’s your day going?”

Before I knew it, my smart mouth popped off in a raw state of honesty.

“I feel like everything is out of control, and I don’t have a clue what to do.”

She replied without missing a beat, “I’m totally with you on that,” before shuffling off to her next tedious task.

Now, disciple, that is a brief encounter I’ll file away for a future conversation starter.

Until then, as we face the day ahead or the morrow, I hope the Holy Spirit encourages you to engage in a bit of honesty about life as you face it from a believer’s perspective, no matter the daily grind.

Galatians 6:9-10 (KJV) – “9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”

3 Questions for now

We all have those brief encounters with someone we hope to have a conversation with about the Gospel.

Don’t fret when there is a “missed” opportunity.

File it away for another day, and look for that next “divine appointment” to connect with someone.

Sometimes you just have to blurt out what you’re thinking.

Here are questions that could help you start a conversation:

• Hey, can I ask you a question? Are you a church-going person?

• What do you think the Bible teaches about God's love for us?

• If you had the chance, what would you ask Jesus about life, faith, or God?

Be kind. Love them. Be bold.

Be open and honest.

Shawn’s noodling rant:

(“Noodling” is a term I swiped from my mentor. The meaning is to “ponder” or “think deeply about” a topic that God is challenging us with through scripture or the Holy Spirit, or both.)

Believers must not go it alone in life

I got nothing, folks.

As my grandfather would say, “I’m too tired to spit.”

Not that my body is all that tired. Despite life, my body tends to reenergize faster than I expect at times.

Where I’m drained is in my spirit.

All the bad news in the world (which is the ocean of ugly where I swim in daily because of my job) just wears me down.

I find it harder to reenergize after the workday is done. I almost have to “detox” nightly with lesser grades of bad news to wind down, almost like an addict taking lower doses to lessen the shock of breaking free until the desire fades away.

But then I slap myself – figuratively – in the face a bit and start regaining my composure.

I think about the men and women from my church who have far greater struggles than me, and I feel humbled and a bit silly for wallowing in my worry and strife that doesn’t measure up against the harsh challenges of so many others.

I’m especially thankful for the pillars among the saints whom I’ve studied for years … those who have paved the path and set the example. Yes, that includes all the ones we’ve all studied throughout the Bible.

But closer to home the saints are the men in my church who set an example about life and living in Christ in today’s murky world. They humble me and guide me to regain my focus on Christ in all things that I face.

Now, disciple, how are you set when it comes to church, by which I mean a unified fellowship of Christ-centered believers? One among all, supporting each other.

We aren’t meant to go it alone in this world. And others we encounter are looking for that fellowship we enjoy.

1 John 1:3-4 (KJV) – “3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.”

Energize your spirit with the support and love that flows from the body of believers so you can share it with so many desperately seeking “something more” in this often-dreary world.