If they serve Him obediently, they will end their days in prosperity and their years in happiness. Job 36:11
Today's post is a little more difficult. I want you to stop and think how many times you've done something remarkable and loving for someone else. Now, still thinking about that time, did you boast and want to be admired for your generocity? Tough to not be boastful at times, isn't it? As humans, we want people to know when we've been helpful or generous. We crave the fanfare and the temptation to build ourselves up to others. But stop and consider this, did Jesus? When he died on the cross, did he make a point of building himself up? Absolutely not! As servants of the Lord, we are to be humbled here on earth. Lending a helping hand and sharing kindness anonymously is what God wants. Resist the temptation to be boastful. In doing so, you will be gloryifying yourself before God, not your fellow man.
The choice is yours: you can lift yourself up here on earth and be humbled in heaven, or vice versa. Which will you choose?
Do something for someone else today. When you head out for lunch, leave a bigger tip than normal, or better yet, surprise the person in line behind you by paying for their order. Offer to stay longer at work so that the single parent can get home earlier today to be with their child. Give some encouragement to a family member who may need to feel a little extra love. You never know, once you start doing these random acts of kindness, it may start to feel so good that the mere thought of being boastful about it won't even enter your mind. As Barbara Johnson once said, "Doing something positive toward another person is a practical approach to feeling good about yourself". Take a chance, what have you got to lose?
Dear Lord, in weak moments, I seek to build myself up by placing myself ahead of others. But according to Your commands, I am to be a humble servant to those who need my encouragement, my help, and my love. Let me be a woman who follows in the footsteps of Your Son Jesus who taught us by example how to serve others humbly, faithfully, and lovingly. Amen
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