It isn't hard to treasure your own life. After all, it's the only life you have. You've had this life all your life and you hope to enjoy the experience of living for an eternally long time! But this morning I thought about how important it is to treasure the lives of "others". I mean, where would we be without the other people that God chartered to share life on the planet at the same time we have lived here? Because of others, our walk with God can be "sharpened". Because of "others" we have someone to lift us up when we are down. Who would be the "objects of our affection" if we didn't have others stalking the land with us. Oh, it's critical that we have God and we're challenged to love, lean, look and learn in His direction. But then we need to love others the way we love ourselves. I mean, where would we practice all the great teachings of First Corinthians, chapter 13, if we didn't have others? Love appears to be more an action than a feeling from that chapter and we need others to practice the patience, unselfishness, and kindness on that define love. This morning I am very grateful for my own life...but I am becoming aware in a fresh way of just how much I need all the "others" who add the challenge, purpose and encouragement to this life of mine.
Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus
blessings (to all the others),
Rob Smith
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