Blot Out Barriers to Love

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others. – (Philippians 2:3-4, NIV)

In whatever you do, don’t let selfishness or pride be your guide. Be humble, and honor others more than yourselves. Don’t be interested only in your own life, but care about the lives of others too. – (Philippians 2:3-4, ERV)

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. – (Philippians 2:3-4, NLT)

 

Selfishness and pride are both barriers to love. To love others as we are called to love, we have to take a genuine interest in people and care about their lives. As we set aside self and allow our focus to become “otherly”, pride is dispelled and love flows freely. This is not to say that goals are not good, but rather we ought to look to discover how we are best able to help others succeed in their goals as we work toward that which we too are pursuing. May we worry less about what we can attain or achieve on our own, and instead set our sights on how we might love others well.

 

Lord, help us to keep,

Aware of others;

May our hearts know well,

Sisters and brothers.

Remove within us,

Pride and selfishness;

And teach us to love,

With true tenderness.

Show our hearts the way,

To love and invest;

To put others first,

And support them best.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to love others in the same way that You love us. Forgive us for our selfishness and pride that prevent us from investing in the lives of those around us. Teach us how to place others above ourselves in a way that encourages and values people, without losing our own sense of purpose in the process. Show us how to love as we are loved by You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we set aside the parts of ourselves that withhold or withdraw, and move forward with open hearts and arms, set to support and serve. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth (Moreno) Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. – 1 Corinthians 13:4

 

 

Right in His Sight

If you listen to Him, you will understand what is just and fair and how to do what is right. – (Proverbs 2:9, ERV)

With wisdom you will be able to choose the right road, seek justice, and decide what is good and fair. – (Proverbs 2:9, VOICE)

 

When we seek the Lord and listen for His voice, He shows us what is good and right in His sight. God grants wisdom to those who ask, and makes plain His path that is just and leads to joy as we journey through life with Him. We need to worry less about the weight of our options, and more about what matters to God. As we heed His instruction, the right road is made plain before us. God is faithful to answer when we ask Him what is just and fair and how to do His will. May we ever seek the Lord and listen for His voice, so that we will know and understand what is right in His sight.

 

True understanding,

Is gained through the Lord;

As we seek, we find,

Wisdom He’ll afford.

God shows us what’s just,

The road to do right;

If we choose listen,

Confusion takes flight.

Understanding comes,

As we hear His voice;

True wisdom granted,

To make the right choice.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we listen to You, You grant us understanding of what is just and fair and how to do what is right. Forgive us for the times we neglect to listen, or choose to ignore the instructions that we have heard, to do what we think is best. Teach us to trust You and Your ways, as You know the outcome before we ever begin. Show us how to love those around us in a way that is just and fair, and that models doing right. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we listen to You and follow the road that You make plain to do what is right. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

He will fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. – Job 8:21