A young friend asked what I've learned so far that would benefit him. Here's what I said...
It's hard to condense a partial lifetime of learning into a few pieces of advice, but here goes:
1) Love God (which includes friendship, listening, talking, obedience,
humility...) with your whole being and love Him more than anything
(activity, item you own, etc) or anyone else in your life. This takes
practice and effort and sometimes just takes "chilling out" with God.
2) Care for your soul - there is a place for things other than God that
feed one's soul. Those things should be done only to the extent that you have
something in you to give to the people closest and dearest to you first
and then the rest of the people around you.
3) Use the gifts God has given you (we all do have spiritual gifts) to
build up the people closest to you first, then the church you are part
of, then the larger church in the world and then the people around you
that don't yet know God. Enthusiastic and consistent use of gifts in
love will often result in God giving more spiritual gifts to you to
steward.
4) Love and be friends with people who show interest in God whether they
enter a relationship with God or not. Keep those friendships. People
are not projects/evangelism targets. They see our hearts and know
whether we really like them as people or if we're just being "friends"
so they can be saved. Lots of damage is done by Christians who leave
God and His timing and love out of the pursuit of unsaved people.
5) Remember that everyone has something to teach you, no matter if
they're 2 years old or 100, rich or poor, homeless or not. If you
approach people with that humility in your heart, you will be a very
rich person.
What would you add?
Advice to the "young"? I would say this is just sound wisdom for us all every day, and every day is new, with fresh challenges for how these things can be lived out. Very well said, Linda.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I just thought of a biggie that I'd add. Learn to be a good asker of questions, and a good listener. This is an art that Jesus modeled. When we approach God with honest questions, expecting that he will not withhold any good thing and will answer, great insight comes. And when we approach others in the same way, with respect, valuing their dignity... they know they are loved and significant.
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