Invest Boldly In The Lives Of Others
How does God look through the eyes of those you have blessed “in His name”? Does He look like a God who just barely cares, or does He look like a God who loves lavishly?
I have been deeply moved, in the last few months, to invest significantly in the lives of those God has blessed me to know. Sometimes, this has meant that I should give a little extra time and a sympathetic ear to someone with a real burden (as opposed to a habitual whiner). At times, it has meant that I should quiet my tongue and overlook a grievance, then serve that same person with some act of kindness. And a few times, it meant that I should write a check for more than I ever expected to write.
In every instance, I was moved to do it with excellence. In my spirit, I heard God say, “If you’re going to allow me to love people through you, then allow me to love them lavishly.”
WOW … I had never thought of it that way before!
When God calls on us to bless someone, we should do it with excellence! Because whatever we do “in His great name,” should never make Him look ‘cheap’.
Keeping it real,
For more encouragement, visit the blogs in these carnivals …
- This new insight about how to love others by investing boldly is what I’m grateful for this GratiTuesday … head over to Heavenly Home Maker to see what others are grateful for this week.
- This new attitude is what I’m tackling for Tackle it Tuesday … head over to 5MinutesForMom to see what everyone else is up to this week.
- For more encouraging insight visit What Are You Learning? hosted by Chats With And Old Lady.
This post has 19 comments
February 3rd, 2009
Fantastic!
February 3rd, 2009
Doing things with excellence. Not a concept we hear much about today. Thanks for the reminder Tammie and thanks for posting on my graituesday. I am just starting out and have a ladies Bible study blog. COme on over and have alook see
February 3rd, 2009
I wholeheartedly agree. When I work hard to remain fully present in my interactions with people, I find the experience so much more rewarding. It’s so much easier to figure out what a person needs, and interactions are much more pleasant, when you give a person your full attention without any ulterior motives.
February 3rd, 2009
That’s a very good thought. I appreciate it.
February 3rd, 2009
Thanks for the uplifting “tackle”!
February 3rd, 2009
@ KathiS: Thanks for your encouragement!
@ Jill Roper: Doing things with excellence seems to be God’s theme with me lately. I must have been slouching off too much! I’ll definately stop by for a visit.
@ Andrea McMann: Conversations certainly are more rewarding when we engage our ’spiritual’ ears and listen for an opportunity to bless.
@ Rosie: Thanks for your visit and your encouragement.
@ Kristi: So glad you enjoyed the post.
February 4th, 2009
Wow, that was exactly what I needed today! Thanks!
February 4th, 2009
I agree whole heartly and yes we may not know the reason but God knows why he tells us to do certian things
February 4th, 2009
Thank you for allowing Christ to lavishly love me through you!
February 4th, 2009
@ Carrie: So glad it blessed you!
@ Angela: Yes, He knows the need AND He knows what we are capable of giving.
@ Drewe Llyn: You are a joy to love, my sweet friend!
February 5th, 2009
Such truth in your words, my dear friend!
Should we not give the best to the One we love best?
My anti-spam word is ‘gentle’… so fitting for who you are!!
February 6th, 2009
That’s great that you were being obedient to the voice of God. I would say, that I’m not sure on what you mean when you say a “habitual whiner”. Please know that I’m not asking in a sense of confrontation, etc. I’m just lovingly asking and I pray that you read it as such (and any others.) LOL
I just get concerned when we as believers say things like that because we all have our issues. I never want anyone to think that they are whiners. Of course we are not to complain and are to learn “in everything give thanks”. But, I think sometimes people are really down and due to where they are spiritually, it may be hard for them to just “get over” the issue they are facing. I think that “bearing” with someone means to “endure” with them. To constantly be a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on. Of course to be there for them in a way and as long as the Lord will have us to be. But, a “habitual whiner” sounds questionable to me. I hope this comment isn’t considered as rude because I’m TRULY not trying to start an argument. I just was concerned with that statement. I think most women who struggle with depression or other heart felt issues fear talking about it so much BECAUSE they fear being looked upon as being a whiner or someone who isn’t learning how to trust God, etc. So, that’s it. I just wanted to comment about that word and pray that God would also give you discernment and patience for that one sister that just may “appear” to be a whiner. It’s amazing how God sends various types of people in our lives to show us more of things we need to work on. I see that in my life through my children! LOL
Love,
Zinnada<
February 6th, 2009
@ Julie: Thanks so much for your sweet encouragement! I agree … when we give to others, we ARE giving to the ‘One we love best’ because Jesus said, “Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me”
February 6th, 2009
@ Zinnada: I appreciate your careful way of asking me to consider my motives. That’s exactly what we are supposed to do as fellow believers, isn’t it, to lovingly and respectfully come alongside each other and help each other stay true to God’s teaching? I did not feel that your comment was rude at all, and I think I can answer your concerns with an explanation.
When I mentioned habitual whiners, I was really trying to distinguish between a person with a real burden and a person who is a ‘toxic friend’ … one who is self-consumed and self-serving at the expense of others. This is the kind of person who is just looking for you to make them feel good, rather than one who is in need of comforting words or wise counsel from a godly friend. I’m well aware that sometimes a friend is down for a long season … and I’m so willing to stand with them through that. But a habitual whiner is one who is being enabled to live in a constant state of “pity party” because of our sympathetic ear.
I think I’ll write another post, later, about toxic friendships and link the phrase ‘habitual whiners’ to it so there were be no room for doubt.
February 7th, 2009
Have you seen the “I Am Second” website? Talk about investing in someone else’s life….It is pretty inpressive what people are doing here.
February 8th, 2009
Re: “Habitual Whiner”
The main thing here is to set boundaries of some kind. I truly understand what you’re saying, Tammie. Everyone, even the HW needs compassion and lavish love. However, some people are very draining and suck all our energy and joy by always complaining. Even Jesus took time to be by Himself to focus and re-energize. There were times He sent the crowds away…even when I’m sure there were some still demanding His attention. (Let’s face it, out of 5,000 men plus women and children somebody still wanted something.) I think we can discern by His life that even Jesus set boundaries. He met many needs and met them lavishly. Yet He only truly and totally invested Himself (walked alongside) very few. (His disciples, Lazarus and his family, etc.) The “HW” shouldn’t be allowed to take time away from other responsibilities God has given us. We should pray for balance and discernment to know in whom and how God wants us to invest ourselves.
February 9th, 2009
@ Laurie: Thanks for sharing that website with me! I spent just a little time there, but I WILL be going back to see more. It’s very encouraging.
February 9th, 2009
@ Drewe Llyn: Well said … you did a great job of clarifying! When I said give a little “extra” time to someone with a real burden, I was thinking of how it is sometimes acceptable to cross our usual boundaries and invest a bit more of ourselves. However, those investments must always be for good, producing life and health, without causing us to become poor stewards of the things God has already entrusted to us. That’s something I leaned when we studied the Prayer of Jabez … we should not ask God to expand our boundaries, if we are not good stewards of what He has already given us.
February 10th, 2009
What a phenomenal tackle. Your post certainly challenged me to think about how I am making God look to others. A very timely post. Thank you.