Day 16: What Matters Most
How apt for me, in my current state of mind, to read the opening quote to the chapter: "No matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love" (Corinthians 13:3b Msg). I just had one of the most difficult conversations of my life, and the quote reminds me what is really, truly important that money can't buy.
"'Love others as you love yourself'" (Galatians 5:14 LB). Which parts of love does this quote refer to? Does it mean just the praise? Or also the way of living or approaching life? Does it mean to impart some of our world views on others with the hope that we can all be better for it? How does Rick or the Bible know how one loves him- or herself?
"Your strong love for each other will prove to the world that you are my disciples" (John 13:35 LB). This reminds me of the hypothetical, situational question I posed yesterday: Can two Christians who have never met demonstrate this kind of love to each other and thus prove to each other that they are both indeed Christians?
But regardless of the answers to the above questions, one of Rick's rhetorical questions that struck a chord with me (even as a non-believer) was, "Why should God give you another day if you're going to waste it?" I assume in the context of this question, Rick is saying we should spend every day (or at least part of every day) genuinely loving someone in our lives. If we go through an entire day and fail to do this, then we have failed to use a day that God gave us, in which case we don't deserve another.
"The greatest gift you can give someone is your time." It's interesting... I've seen this point a lot in movies, in romance dramas and in my own life. Take the simple occasion of celebrating my mother's birthday, for example. I can buy a pre-made card with the most eloquently written sentiment and ship that card to my mom, but what matters more to her is that I take time to write down my own personal thoughts and wishes in the card. As the MasterCard commercials aptly put it, my taking time to put my thoughts down in the card was priceless to my mom.
I want to take a few moments to reflect on a couple of Rick's closing questions in the chapter, before I move on to the reflection questions. Rick asked, "How will you explain those times when projects or things were more important to you than people? Who do you need to start spending more time with?" I was going to say that everything we do... well, maybe not everything in all cases... is for other people. For example, when I'm working to produce education for other people, even though I don't see the people who I'm indirectly serving, my work is absolutely for their benefit.
When there are Christians and non-Christians, Rick says that the bible instructs Christians to prioritize loving Christians. But if we assume that everyone is a Christian, then what are the priorities for loving other Christians? Are all other Christians created equal?
Yes. I agree with the opening quote that without love, I am nothing. Without receiving love, I am empty. Without giving love, I am a waste.
I struggle with this question, primarily because of work. Work takes time away from my family, but I work so that I can live and spend some time with my family enjoying some things that money provides for. Examples include movies, games, dinner... etc. But given the plight of other people in the world, all of these examples could be seen as excessive. Does the Bible have a good recommendation for a proper work-life balance?
One way that I can ensure that relationships are my first priorities is to take time each day to connect and be thankful for a friend or family member that is not around me constantly in the sense of physical presence. I think my childhood best friend does a great job of this, and it's time I learned to do the same.
"'Love others as you love yourself'" (Galatians 5:14 LB). Which parts of love does this quote refer to? Does it mean just the praise? Or also the way of living or approaching life? Does it mean to impart some of our world views on others with the hope that we can all be better for it? How does Rick or the Bible know how one loves him- or herself?
"Your strong love for each other will prove to the world that you are my disciples" (John 13:35 LB). This reminds me of the hypothetical, situational question I posed yesterday: Can two Christians who have never met demonstrate this kind of love to each other and thus prove to each other that they are both indeed Christians?
But regardless of the answers to the above questions, one of Rick's rhetorical questions that struck a chord with me (even as a non-believer) was, "Why should God give you another day if you're going to waste it?" I assume in the context of this question, Rick is saying we should spend every day (or at least part of every day) genuinely loving someone in our lives. If we go through an entire day and fail to do this, then we have failed to use a day that God gave us, in which case we don't deserve another.
"The greatest gift you can give someone is your time." It's interesting... I've seen this point a lot in movies, in romance dramas and in my own life. Take the simple occasion of celebrating my mother's birthday, for example. I can buy a pre-made card with the most eloquently written sentiment and ship that card to my mom, but what matters more to her is that I take time to write down my own personal thoughts and wishes in the card. As the MasterCard commercials aptly put it, my taking time to put my thoughts down in the card was priceless to my mom.
I want to take a few moments to reflect on a couple of Rick's closing questions in the chapter, before I move on to the reflection questions. Rick asked, "How will you explain those times when projects or things were more important to you than people? Who do you need to start spending more time with?" I was going to say that everything we do... well, maybe not everything in all cases... is for other people. For example, when I'm working to produce education for other people, even though I don't see the people who I'm indirectly serving, my work is absolutely for their benefit.
When there are Christians and non-Christians, Rick says that the bible instructs Christians to prioritize loving Christians. But if we assume that everyone is a Christian, then what are the priorities for loving other Christians? Are all other Christians created equal?
Point to Ponder: Life is all about love.
Yes. I agree with the opening quote that without love, I am nothing. Without receiving love, I am empty. Without giving love, I am a waste.
Question to Consider: Honestly, are relationships my first priority? How can I ensure that they are?
I struggle with this question, primarily because of work. Work takes time away from my family, but I work so that I can live and spend some time with my family enjoying some things that money provides for. Examples include movies, games, dinner... etc. But given the plight of other people in the world, all of these examples could be seen as excessive. Does the Bible have a good recommendation for a proper work-life balance?
One way that I can ensure that relationships are my first priorities is to take time each day to connect and be thankful for a friend or family member that is not around me constantly in the sense of physical presence. I think my childhood best friend does a great job of this, and it's time I learned to do the same.