There’s No “I” in Love
January 22, 2016
Romans 12:10: “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
With the new year upon us, have you made any goals for 2016? Some call these goals resolutions, others avoid the word hoping they won’t get off track in the first few weeks. So let me ask you this, how many of your goals or resolutions start with the word “I”? Does this sound familiar, “I’m going to lose weight; I’m going to get in shape; I’m going to get a better job?”
Here’s a challenge—set your new year’s goals based on Romans 12:10. Help a co-worker achieve his or her goals; focus on encouraging your children every day; ask your spouse how you can help accomplish his or her plans for 2016. In other words, live and love like Jesus. Trust your desires and goals will come to fruition by pouring yourself into others. Ruth 1:16 is another powerful verse leading us to lift the needs of others above our own. Ruth’s husband has died and her mother-in-law, Naomi, is encouraging Ruth to go home and go on with her life. Ruth realizing the pain Naomi is experiencing over losing her husband and two sons, replies in Ruth 1:16: “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.” In the end, Ruth finds love again when Boaz recognizes Ruth’s loyalty to Naomi. What are you searching for this year? There’s a real good chance you’ll find it by lifting others higher than yourself.
With the new year upon us, have you made any goals for 2016? Some call these goals resolutions, others avoid the word hoping they won’t get off track in the first few weeks. So let me ask you this, how many of your goals or resolutions start with the word “I”? Does this sound familiar, “I’m going to lose weight; I’m going to get in shape; I’m going to get a better job?”
Here’s a challenge—set your new year’s goals based on Romans 12:10. Help a co-worker achieve his or her goals; focus on encouraging your children every day; ask your spouse how you can help accomplish his or her plans for 2016. In other words, live and love like Jesus. Trust your desires and goals will come to fruition by pouring yourself into others. Ruth 1:16 is another powerful verse leading us to lift the needs of others above our own. Ruth’s husband has died and her mother-in-law, Naomi, is encouraging Ruth to go home and go on with her life. Ruth realizing the pain Naomi is experiencing over losing her husband and two sons, replies in Ruth 1:16: “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.” In the end, Ruth finds love again when Boaz recognizes Ruth’s loyalty to Naomi. What are you searching for this year? There’s a real good chance you’ll find it by lifting others higher than yourself.