Choose to Care

Choose to Care

Philippians 2:3-4 ESV

Philippians 2:1-2 MSG

The act of caring is much more than emotion. When we think about it we don’t always feel like we care about someone in the sense of a driving emotion. We think in terms of what is needed.

Even when caring for a child we don’t often stop to think about caring. We think about what the child needs. Perhaps that’s because Western culture values and culture are based on reasoning and logic.

Long before western culture was defined Paul wrote in Philippians 2:3-4 tells us, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

The Apostle Paul well understood that instead of focusing on our own needs God calls us to remember others. He does not describe what the act of caring feels like. He simple says don’t be selfish…think of others and act accordingly.

Paul’s words leading up to those verses from the Message tell us, “If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care—then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends.”

Paul is determined to teach the believers in the Church in Philippi to be as Christ taught us to be by every act of love and service He did. The key is following the example of Jesus.

October 6 Bible Study Continued

When we think about it Jesus didn’t just talk about loving and helping others. He jumped in wherever He saw a need. He responded to pain and sorrow.

Jesus loved…even the unlovable. Jesus even did the unthinkable…He even went into forbidden places to love and heal others.

He touched the untouchable.

Today he would run toward those who have Ebola, Bird Flu, and Malaria in certain parts of the world.

While we might not encounter those diseases in our everyday life’s today, we do have common issues in the world today. Hardly a day goes by that we don’t encounter friends and neighbors who might suffer from a host of diseases and disorders that are hidden in plain sight.

We might not know their particular issue, but we can be the hands and feet of Jesus simply by making eye contact and speaking, smiling, and encouraging them to laugh.

A warm smile can make someone’s day.

Laughter can produce chemical and hormonal changes that produce brain chemicals of dopamine, endorphins, serotonins, oxytocin, and cortisol.

A laugh every so often can keep the doctor away!

Care for yourself and others. Do what makes you smile and laugh.

Deborah

acrazyjourney.com