Friday, September 27, 2013

Less Of me, More Of Others

Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.       Proverbs 27:2

No one enjoys being around the one that has done it all or seen it all. They are the authority on every subject! Their behavior ruins any conversation you attempt by their continuous interruptions based upon their personal experience. They are usually not someone high on your priority list to visit!

While it is easy to disparage others with this disease, it is highly contagious. If we are not careful, we can all succumb to its bitterness. I have caught myself attempting to listen to another pour out his heart only to catch myself interjecting my own experiences during their attempt to share their burdens. What was I missing? God's love. I was too stuck on myself to listen to their issue. I was too busy explaining my own experience to simply listen and show God's love.

Paul describes it best in 1 Cor 13:1 - Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. If we do not show love for others and are simply too hung upon our own experience, we are useless.

Let's focus on showing our love for others by simply listening rather than trying to impress. Most are not looking for a hero, they are simply looking for some one who cares. Jesus cares for us and we should do the same for others.