I have to confess that I am terminally male. I say this because this post is going to have a male bias and I want any readers of the female persuasion to understand that this post applies to women as well. Please keep this disclaimer in mind as you proceed.
I have noticed more and more that people seem less able to take care of their own... well, stuff. I'm not sure the right word to encompass all I am thinking of here. What I mean to say is that people seem less capable of dealing with their own families, lives, business and stuff. You have heard the complaints about how hard life is, how the bills are overwhelming, how stressful work is, and how difficult relationships and marriage can be. Fundamentally I can't disagree with these statements... life is tough. However, at what point do we just man up and deal with it? Life is tough. Sometimes life is really tough and we lose loved ones, struggle with cancer, get laid off etc. Certainly these catastrophes can be overwhelming. But, I am noticing more of an inability to deal with every day life events.
What's my point? Well, I have been thinking more and more lately about those men who choose to take care of their own, and then a few more. This means that they take care of their business, families, relationships, etc. and then give to others. These are the men that lead in our churches, coach teams, serve on boards, and help neighbors on the weekend.
So, here is my commitment. I want to take care of mine, and then some. Consider skimming through your Bible and see if you can find a similar concept in scripture. If so, post it here for all to see. Thanks.
1 comment:
Hi Ken, You have posed a very true comment on life today. I have been noticing, myself, how folks seem to feel that their situation, as opposed to everyone else who is living and dealing with life's difficult moments, is so much more intense than another person could possibly understand; and that their situation in life demands the attention and sympathy (and oftentimes much assistance) of many others. It seems to me that the greatest names in Bible history were considered by God as worthy because of their faith and trust in His supreme power and faithfulness. They did not worry or question about the future or consequences of what would happen as they followed the will of God because they knew that the omnipotent God had their best interests at heart. In Acts, the early Christians sold what they had in order to help their brothers and sisters in the faith continue life in a reasonable fashion. Riches were not a priority. "God will supply" was believed. People's concerns today, stem from their lack of faith and unbelief in a God who is in total control of ALL things. He is totally righteous, totally faithful, and totally gracious. People fear when there is no trust. A true Christian knows that fear is not an option because he is held in the palm of the One who is able to save, in life and afterwards. The psalmist tells us that "...fear is the beginning of wisdom." Solomon, with all of his wisdom and after spending a life searching for satisfaction with all that his money and prestige could buy him, came to the conclusion that to "fear God and keep His commandment" was the whole duty of man. As Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego said to the king just before being thrown into the furnace: "... our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king." And as we all know, God did just so!
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