Transcript

Just do it! · The Holy Pause

0:00
[music]
0:08
SPEAKER_00: Love should be shown without pretending.
0:11
SPEAKER_00: Hate evil and hold on to what is good.
0:15
SPEAKER_00: Love each other like the members of your family.
0:18
SPEAKER_00: Be the best at showing honor to each other.
0:21
SPEAKER_00: Don't hesitate to be enthusiastic.
0:24
SPEAKER_00: Be on fire in the spirit as you serve the Lord.
0:27
SPEAKER_00: Be happy in your hope.
0:29
SPEAKER_00: Stand your ground when you are in trouble and devote yourselves to prayer.
0:34
SPEAKER_00: Contribute to the needs of God's people and welcome strangers into your home.
0:38
SPEAKER_00: Bless people who harass you.
0:41
SPEAKER_00: Bless and don't curse them.
0:44
SPEAKER_00: Be happy with those who are happy and cry with those who are crying.
0:48
SPEAKER_00: Consider everyone as equal and don't think that you're better than anyone else.
0:54
SPEAKER_00: Instead, associate with people who have no status.
0:58
SPEAKER_00: Don't think you're so smart.
1:00
SPEAKER_00: Do not waste time bothering over whether you love your neighbor.
1:03
SPEAKER_00: As soon as we do this, we find one of the great secrets.
1:09
SPEAKER_00: When you are behaving as if you loved someone, you will presently come to love him.
1:15
SPEAKER_00: A quote from C.S.
1:16
SPEAKER_00: Lewis in Mere Christianity.
1:20
SPEAKER_00: I read Mere Christianity in college and was both intrigued and bothered by this quote.
1:26
SPEAKER_00: Acting like I love someone?
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SPEAKER_00: Doesn't that mean I'm being fake?
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SPEAKER_00: But as I've grown in wisdom and age,
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SPEAKER_00: I've come to realize a different understanding of this,
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SPEAKER_00: quote, acting as if you love someone, end quote.
1:41
SPEAKER_00: To me, here and now,
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SPEAKER_00: it means not missing a moment to stop and recognize that which is good and strong
1:48
SPEAKER_00: and wise and those I probably take for granted regularly.
1:54
SPEAKER_00: It means remembering that there is something in everyone that is lovable and finding
1:58
SPEAKER_00: that thing is one of my responsibilities.
2:04
SPEAKER_00: Romans
2:08
SPEAKER_00: 12, 9-16 gives a beautiful picture of what genuine Christian community looks like.
2:15
SPEAKER_00: Love isn't described as a feeling alone.
2:18
SPEAKER_00: It is a way of doing and living.
2:21
SPEAKER_00: We are to love one another in very real ways,
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SPEAKER_00: honor one another above ourselves,
2:27
SPEAKER_00: rejoice with those who rejoice, mourn with those who mourn,
2:33
SPEAKER_00: One of the ways we can live out these verses is by learning to truly
2:39
SPEAKER_00: and actively appreciate the people God has placed in our lives.
2:43
SPEAKER_00: It's easy to become so familiar with family members,
2:46
SPEAKER_00: co-workers,
2:47
SPEAKER_00: church friends,
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SPEAKER_00: or neighbors that we stop noticing the gifts,
2:52
SPEAKER_00: strengths, and unique ways God is working in them.
2:56
SPEAKER_00: It's a conscious act to regularly notice and celebrate those around you.
3:01
SPEAKER_00: One that we too often forget to do in the busyness of everyday life.
3:10
SPEAKER_00: Who is one person you can intentionally notice today?
3:14
SPEAKER_00: What are the very real things you can love and celebrate here and now?
3:18
SPEAKER_00: Take time today to see someone with fresh eyes.
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SPEAKER_00: Look beyond the routine and discover the remarkable qualities God placed within them.
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SPEAKER_00: Offer them a sincere word of encouragement,
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SPEAKER_00: gratitude,
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SPEAKER_00: or recognition,
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SPEAKER_00: and see how that can strengthen someone's heart and reflect the love of Christ.
3:42
SPEAKER_00: Join me in prayer.
3:45
SPEAKER_00: Loving Lord, help me to love sincerely and honor others as you have called me to do.
3:52
SPEAKER_00: Slow me down so I can see the people around me through your eyes.
3:57
SPEAKER_00: Help me to appreciate their gifts and Encourage their hearts and rejoice
4:02
SPEAKER_00: and grieve alongside them with genuine compassion.
4:06
SPEAKER_00: May my words and actions reflect your love today.
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SPEAKER_00: Amen.
4:12
SPEAKER_00: This podcast was written by Katherine Piper and recorded
4:16
SPEAKER_00: by Reverend Elizabeth Troyer with audio engineering and editing assistance
4:20
SPEAKER_00: from Jermaine Taylor.
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SPEAKER_00: This podcast will always be free,
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SPEAKER_00: but if you would like to donate to our online ministry,
4:26
SPEAKER_00: You can do so at wakeforestpress.org slash gif.