Latest / The Holy Pause / Honesty is the best policy

Transcript

Honesty is the best policy · The Holy Pause

• 0:03
  SPEAKER_00: A reading from Scripture, 1 John 3, verses 11-18.
• 0:11
  SPEAKER_00: For this is the message you heard from the beginning.
• 0:13
  SPEAKER_00: We should love one another.
• 0:16
  SPEAKER_00: Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother.
• 0:20
  SPEAKER_00: And why did he murder him?
• 0:23
  SPEAKER_00: Because his own actions were evil, and his brothers were righteous.
• 0:27
  SPEAKER_00: Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.
• 0:33
  SPEAKER_00: Anyone who does not love remains in death.
• 0:41
  SPEAKER_00: Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer,
• 0:44
  SPEAKER_00: and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.
• 0:49
  SPEAKER_00: This is how we know what love is.
• 0:52
  SPEAKER_00: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us,
• 0:54
  SPEAKER_00: and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.
• 0:58
  SPEAKER_00: If anyone has material possessions,
• 1:01
  SPEAKER_00: and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them,
• 1:05
  SPEAKER_00: how can the love of God be in that person?
• 1:09
  SPEAKER_00: Dear children, let us not love with words or speech, but with actions and in truth.
• 1:18
  SPEAKER_00: There was a point last week when Renee, my intrepid assistant, asked me how I was doing.
• 1:24
  SPEAKER_00: I almost responded with the standard, I'm fine, how are you?
• 1:30
  SPEAKER_00: But something stopped me in the middle of that flimbit and unthinking response.
• 1:34
  SPEAKER_00: Instead, I responded honestly.
• 1:38
  SPEAKER_00: I'm drowning.
• 1:41
  SPEAKER_00: A pause.
• 1:43
  SPEAKER_00: A bit.
• 1:45
  SPEAKER_00: I said to soften it, not wanting to overwhelm or inconvenience.
• 1:50
  SPEAKER_00: Baseball season has started again.
• 1:52
  SPEAKER_00: So has softball and soccer.
• 1:55
  SPEAKER_00: Hockey is now year-round.
• 1:57
  SPEAKER_00: And I just got an email that sign-ups for winter basketball have opened.
• 2:02
  SPEAKER_00: One of my children has started tap dancing class.
• 2:05
  SPEAKER_00: School is back in session, which means homework, and fighting with my kids over homework.
• 2:10
  SPEAKER_00: There's showers and groceries and bills and budgets, and the car keeps making a funny noise.
• 2:17
  SPEAKER_00: And that's just the personal stuff.
• 2:20
  SPEAKER_00: It does sound like quite a lot when you list it like that, doesn't it?
• 2:25
  SPEAKER_00: The thing is, I love every minute of it.
• 2:29
  SPEAKER_00: So
• 2:33
  SPEAKER_00: Renee responded with an act of love in the form of a YouTube parody of
• 2:37
  SPEAKER_00: the Enneagram set to Bohemian Rhapsody.
• 2:40
  SPEAKER_00: None of those words may mean anything to you, but trust me, I found it hilarious.
• 2:46
  SPEAKER_00: This is what loving with skin on looks like.
• 2:50
  SPEAKER_00: First, it's taking the time to notice when another person needs an act of love.
• 2:53
  SPEAKER_00: Then it's taking the time to consider what would be best for them in this particular situation.
• 2:59
  SPEAKER_00: And knowing them well enough to do just the right thing.
• 3:04
  SPEAKER_00: Too often we want to love people in the way that works best for us.
• 3:09
  SPEAKER_00: But it turns out, love means we have to do it in the way which works for them.
• 3:14
  SPEAKER_00: And that requires noticing, remembering, thinking, archiving, and intention.
• 3:24
  SPEAKER_00: And seeing another in need and offering them a bit of your heart.
• 3:29
  SPEAKER_00: Sometimes in the form of a Bohemian Rhapsody parody video.
• 3:35
  SPEAKER_00: Take the next few minutes and walk through this pattern.
• 3:40
  SPEAKER_00: Notice someone in your life.
• 3:43
  SPEAKER_00: What specific stresses, extra loads, or unexpressed efforts are they carrying right now?
• 3:49
  SPEAKER_00: Consider how do they best receive love and support.
• 3:52
  SPEAKER_00: Is it words of affirmation, uninterrupted time, practical help?
• 4:00
  SPEAKER_00: Remember what personal promise or commitment you have made to show up for them.
• 4:06
  SPEAKER_00: What is one tangible,
• 4:08
  SPEAKER_00: low friction action you can take in the next 12 hours to show them love
• 4:12
  SPEAKER_00: in their language?
• 4:17
  SPEAKER_00: Join me in prayer.
• 4:20
  SPEAKER_00: It's easy for me to forget how much you love me.
• 4:23
  SPEAKER_00: When the day is hard or I make a mistake, my sin tells me I am unloved and have no value.
• 4:30
  SPEAKER_00: Help me to remember in those moments when I doubt your love, how much and how long you love me.
• 4:37
  SPEAKER_00: Amen.
• 4:40
  SPEAKER_00: This podcast was written and recorded by Reverend Elizabeth Troyer
• 4:44
  SPEAKER_00: with audio engineering and editing assistance from Jermaine Taylor.
• 4:49
  SPEAKER_00: These podcasts will always be free,
• 4:52
  SPEAKER_00: but if you would like to support our online ministry,
• 4:54
  SPEAKER_00: you can donate using the link in the bio or at wakeforestpres.org.