Let your gentleness be evident to all.
Philippians 4:5 NIV
Confession.
This was my family's "go to" verse for me for years.
It was on the fridge, and took forever to find its way to change my attitude.
And every now and then that ungentleness reappears...which for me found it's expression in both what I say and how I say it...
Evident.
Paul is clear, our attitudes need more than our intellectual agreement. They've got to be worked out in the real world.
(I have quite a list to work on...kindness, generosity, patience...they need evidence!)
And then there's the "to all".
It's easy to be gentle with those who are gentle, with those you like, but this is "to all"
Paul wants our character to be consistent...so even when I have bad news, tough medicine or criticism to give, Paul is telling me that my heart should be consistent and my gentleness evident...to all
#ouch
#lovepeople
...four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn't bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus... Mark 2:3-4 NLT Great account of inventiveness and determination to get their friend to see Jesus. Love this. Do you wonder about the back story? Are these the same 4 people who bring this man food? Take him to the toilet every day. Clean him up. Does he live with one of them? Are they family? Are there whole families or groups of people in the background who have supported and cared for this man? A group of children who grew up seeing their parents love in action? Probably. Healing Help Hope These things are found in community. These 4 guys are the heroes here. The upfront people. One day it will be interesting to see who the background heroes are. #loveinaction #community #inthistogether #walkingeachotherhome #gospelofmark
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