Self Absorbed

I was driving in town today and came across one of the few traffic lights we have in town. It wasn’t rush hour, but it was getting close. I was wanting to make a right turn at the intersection. When I got there, I noticed that a few cars, going from left to right, had entered the intersection before there was room on the opposite side. There they were, smack in the middle of the intersection. The light changed. We got a green light. It was about as useful as a ping pong ball at a golf tournament. The intersection was blocked. By the time the traffic started moving again, I think only one car had made it across. If the intersection wasn’t blocked, I would guess a dozen cars, at least, would have made been able to move on. Were they impatient? Selfish? Not paying attention? Unaware of the law? Had they been paying attention, everyone would have done better. I couldn’t help but think of Romans 12 where it says, “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” Believers really should stand out because of how we act... should act. Too often we are no different than the world. That’s a sad commentary. The Apostle Paul calls us to love from the heart, not just because we are told we should love others. As the Spirit of God moves within us, we will find ourselves moving away from that which is evil and worldly to follow Him who is true. The world tells us to look out for ourselves, but Paul tells us to be devoted to one another. And what I didn’t see today? “Honor one another above yourselves”. The more we walk with God, the greater our desire will be to serve and worship Him. He tells us to be “ joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer”, but I will save that for another pondering. We are to share with those in need, not if it is convenient, not if we have extra to give, not to gain praise from others, but because God asked us to. It closes with practice hospitality... a lost gift. Take time to ponder its meaning. Father, here I am complaining about how someone else isn’t acting properly when I know I have failed enough times myself. Help! Amen