Sunday Highlights
“Whatever”
There was a reoccurring word in Pete‘s message today: Whatever
But we’re not talking about the put your hand on your hip, toss your chip up, sarcastic “what-e-ver”, we’re talking about the Colossians 3:17 “whatever”
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
and the
Ecclesiastes 9:10 “whatever”
“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.”
and the
I Corinthians 10:31 “whatever”
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
You see in addition to our individual purpose, each of us has a Global Purpose: To bring glory to God in every single thing we do.
Pete challenged us that in order to live out this purpose we need to focus on 2 things:
- Stand out at Loving
- Stand out at Serving
- Love radically – I challenge you to go read The Message version of 1 Corithians 13
- Serve beyond what is expected of you
- Be honest and dependable all the time
When you love and serve, you are most accurately reflecting the nature and character of God.
So, which of these (loving or serving) do you need to work on the most? Which one is more natural for you?
I do not love well. Sometimes I wonder if I even love at all (according to 1 Corinthians 13).
Serving is easy for me but I will admit I don’t always do it out of love. Until recently I was doing it out of guilt or obligation.
Well, that’s my honesty for the evening. I think I’m going to go find something else to read that isn’t going to make me think or challenge me. (Just kidding. I like to be challenged so I don’t go stale.)
Serve beyond what is expected of you
Be honest and dependable all the time
I would say that the above come more naturally to me.
The love one is the one I have to constantly work at. Then again, don’t we all.
jenni. this is FABULOUS! love it! i think i do love easier…but i love to “do things” for people…however, i’m not really sure “doing things” for people is the same as “serving”…i do know sometimes i am absolutely too selfish with my time to serve enough. so i’m pretty sure that’s where i need to work the most…serving…THANK YOU! and thanks pete! 🙂
ok. brutal honesty here. between loving and serving? it depends. this is terrible and it is something i have recognized and work on very hard. it is easier for me to serve the “lovely”. you know – the grateful. not because they are “grateful” to me or acknowledge my “service”- i could care less about that. but to serve someone who is snotty and somehow feels like it is owed to them – that is hard. but – God quickly and gently convicts me on that and holds up a mirror in front of me. and i guess the same would go for loving. easy to love the lovable.
i have SO far to go.
@tabitha – I echo this statement “I do not love well. Sometimes I wonder if I even love at all (according to 1 Corinthians 13).” That passage of scripture is overwhelming sometimes. (I’m posting more about that later this week.
In reflecting on all of your comments I think that sometimes my love for others is self-serving. I love to feel like I’m doing good, not because I just genuinely want to love others for no other reason than that I value them.
@tam – you are soooo right about loving and serving the ones those who are easy to love and serve. ouch! ouch! ouch!