1 Peter 4:7-11
Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God’s words; if help, let it be God’s hearty help. That way, God’s bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he’ll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
My brother Tim started to lose his hair in his late 20s. By his mid-thirties, he wore his hair trimmed very closely to his head, because he was almost bald on top. But shortly before he died at age 37, his hair started to grow for some reason. He didn’t necessarily reclaim the receding hairline, but he had enough hair that he started to look shaggy around the edges. Tim was very sick and had trouble breathing. So our friend Shelly, who is a hairdresser, came to my parents’ house and gave Tim a haircut. It was a simple task that comes very easily for Shelly. But to us, it was a huge gift. This was an act of love for our Tim…a gesture of compassion from one friend to another. I can still see my brother sitting on the carport on a stool as Shelly trimmed his hair and gave him a neat, clean appearance…and lifted his mood in the process.
Not everyone can offer someone else a haircut. After my brother died, our friend Allison, who is a veterinarian, came and got Tim’s dog Carmen for the day…bathed her and checked her over. My cousin Franklin took Carmen out for a car ride and a romp. These don’t seem like a big deal…but trust me, it was to us! A young friend of ours had all four wisdom teeth removed at once. His mom reported that his face was swollen – and he was in a lot of pain. I made him a “rice bag” that could be placed in the freezer and used like an ice pack. The young man’s mom said that this was the only thing that felt gentle and soothing to him. It took all of maybe 10 minutes to make this bag…and a little side trip to deliver when I ran errands. But it meant the world to a mother who doesn’t sew and her son who was in pain.
The words of this scripture are pretty clear. Every one of us has “gifts” we can use to help others. Some possess skills like cutting hair, sewing and veterinary care…while others are “gifted” cooks, chauffeurs, pet-sitters, listeners, and all-around good friends. Some know just what to say and when to say it…others are better at “doing” things to show their care and concern.
I don’t know what “gifts” you possess…but just as these verses in 1 Peter tell us – each of us has been blessed with certain gifts and skills from God…and He wants us to use them! When we offer others God’s love and care through the gifts He has given us, He gets the glory. This is what true Christian discipleship is all about!
Our job as disciples of Christ is to show our gratitude for all we have been given by prayerfully asking God continually to show us how – and where – to love others. Notice how important Peter says this is - he tells us to “love each other as your life depended on it”…because truly it does! A full life in Christ Jesus happens when we love cheerfully, unconditionally, and generously. Ask God to reveal your “gifts” to you…and to show you what you are supposed to do with them. Someone needs you…even now! Are you ready to offer “God’s hearty help” today? How will you honor His gifts to you by giving to others?
©2014 Debbie Robus
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