by Desiree Bustamante

Let’s care for one another in Jesus’ name.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking this SoundCloud link.

“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.”
Philippians 2:4-5 New Living Translation

We live in a world where we see less and less empathy for people. Special news segments are devoted to highlighting kindness and empathy toward others, like it’s a rare occurrence instead of a normal part of daily living. We’re all amazed and moved by kind acts or acceptance of others, especially since social media is full of personal and political rhetoric and vitriol.

Often, we are either so insulated or so focused on our own needs that we don’t look at those around us to see who may need our help. We shun people who are not like us, who have special needs, or for whom we struggle to relate. Instead of listening and walking with them, we sometimes turn away and wait for someone else to step in to show kindness.

Jesus set the perfect example when He walked on this earth with people who held every perspective on life. While Jesus disagreed with sin, He valued spending time with those seeking hope for their lives and loved them as precious children in need of forgiveness.

How does God want you to view and act toward your neighbors, His children, His creation? He asks us to join Him in seeing and acting toward others as Christ does to you, as His loved and forgiven child. This means that we do not look down on anyone but treat each person as Jesus’ beloved treasure. Let’s be FOR one another!

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado