Daily Stop & Thinks

Forgiving

To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you. (Lewis B. Smedes, late Reformed theologian)

You have probably discovered the reality of Smedes’ observation. You remember that relieved feeling that came over you when you finally forgave someone for his or her wrong against you. Author Jonathan Lockwood Huie put it this way, “Forgiving is your gift to yourself–the gift of happiness.” Don’t wait for an apology; take the first step to reconciliation and forgive.

Make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others (Colossians 3:13)

Love

He whom love touches not walks in darkness. (Plato, 4th-5th  century BC, Greek philosopher)

In the confusion of a fast-paced society where old, familiar terms are re-defined, it’s good to be reminded of values that last century after century. In our time love is most often identified with feelings. “Follow your heart” is the advice frequently given to people torn between love and responsibility. Genuine love, however, considers duty and loyalty as well as deep devotion

Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions (1 John 3:18).

Let love be your highest goal! (1 Corinthians 14:1).

Being Good

No man knows how bad he is till he has tried very hard to be good. (C. S. Lewis, British writer)

The standard for good no doubt varies considerably. But even when we try to be good by whatever measure we choose, we most often discover that we have missed the mark. And the harder we try, the more difficult it seems to really be good. It ought to be evident, then, that we need help to achieve this goal.

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard . . . For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 3:23; 6:23).

Hurry

Hurry is the great enemy of spiritual life in our day. You must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life. (Dallas Willard, late university professor)

It’s more than just your spiritual life that suffers from undue haste. How many times have you discovered an error—whether it’s simply a typo in your manuscript or missing an important appointment—because you were in a hurry? In today’s hectic pace, it’s difficult to slow down, but your physical and emotional life as well as your spiritual well-being will benefit if you do.

Enthusiasm without knowledge is no good; haste makes mistakes (Proverbs 19:2).

Community

Community is not something you find; it’s something you build. (James Emory White, pastor and author)

White continues: “Community is not something discovered; it is something forged . . . all relationships of worth are products of labor.” Finding the right partner, the right job, or neighborhood is often our goal, but to have any sense of belonging requires effort and perseverance. Finding friends is one thing, molding a community of mutual benefit is another.

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony (Colossians 3:14).

Perspective

Man is affected not by events but by the view he takes of them. (Epictetus, 1st century B.C. Greek philosopher)

Difficult events do affect us, but our response to them is of great importance. The human spirit can overcome tragedies when people see their trials as opportunities to apply wisdom, experience, and skills directly and decisively. To see circumstances as unjust or beyond our ability is to be defeated. Prayer, work, and determination can go a long way in overcoming.

Jesus: “On earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

The Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials (2 Peter 2:9).

Character

What you are is more important than what you know. (Tim LaHaye, late evangelical author)

We often hear a similar axiom: “What you are is more important than what you do.” That’s because what you are determines pretty much what you do. In the same way, what you are is the result of your heritage, knowledge, and the choices you’ve made. But those things are only a part of who we are. Our behavior will demonstrate our true character.

May you always be filled with the . . .  righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God (Philippians 1:11).

Opinion

The world is changed by your example not by your opinion. (Paulo Coelho, Brazilian lyricist and novelist)

The belief in relativism makes self the ultimate judge of truth. What is true for you may not be true for me. So, personal opinion seems to be the ruling argument in any debate—whether in things like sports, movies, and TV or in more serious issues like religion or lifestyles. People will not respond so much to our ideas on those matters as to the integrity of our character.

Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions (Proverbs 18:2).

Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching (Titus 2:7).

Failures

Failures are part of life. If you don’t fail, you don’t learn. If you don’t learn, you’ll never change. (Quoted by Pastor Chris Suitt)

How many times have we dreamed of a project, maybe even took the first steps to achieve our dream but gave up early because we feared the project would fail. Every successful inventor, writer, and performer has failed at some point. But they didn’t let that keep them from moving on and keep trying.

The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked (Proverbs 24:16).

Success

There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure. (Colin Powell, late military and political leader)

Many would regard Powell as a success. He was a four-star general, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, and the US secretary of state. The story of his life is a demonstration of what he described as the way to succeed. Preparing for work, toiling at it persistently, and growing from experience were the keys to his achievements. No secret, perhaps, but clear steps to follow.

Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty (Proverbs 21:5)

Others

Associate with people who are likely to improve you. (Seneca, 4th century BC Roman philosopher)

The philosopher continued: “Welcome those who you are capable of improving. The process is a mutual one: men learn as they teach.” We like to be with people who amuse us or whose company gives us joy and pleasure. That’s as it should be, no doubt. But purposely being around smarter, more experienced, gracious people can be of mutual benefit for learning and growing. Enjoy growing together!

Bad company corrupts good character (1 Corinthians 15:33).

Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble (Proverbs 13:20).

Labor Day

Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work. (Aristotle, 4th century BC Greek philosopher)

This is the day each year when we honor those in the workforce who provide the necessities and often luxuries of life for us. Sometimes work is difficult and tiring, but Aristotle suggests that if we strive for perfection, we can find pleasure and be gratified in our jobs. You may recall that Confucius said, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”

I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God (Ecclesiastes 2:24).