HOPE FOR THE LONELY

I am amazed at how in 2009 that so many young people are fans of The Beatles. Perhaps the fact that The Beatles who wrote their hit song ‘Eleanor Rigby’ back in the 60s, could have been writing about people today. Especially the chorus: ‘All the lonely people, where do they all come from? All the lonely people, where do they all belong?’ It’s ironic that in the so-called age of communication so many people are struggling with intense feelings of loneliness and alienation.

Luke 19:5-6 explains how He reached out to a ‘lonely’. “When Jesus reached the spot [where Zacchaeus was sitting in a tree], he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.’ ”

If you’re a Christian believer, you have within you the same Holy Spirit that empowered the life of Jesus, the most magnetic personality in history. That’s not to say that you’ll never feel alone – in fact, being a person of strong faith can sometimes make you very unpopular. However, learning to live like Jesus will also produce qualities that make you more interesting to other people. One key to building friendships is to elevate other people, just as Jesus did. The Bible says a great deal about honouring our fellow man. To honour people means to elevate them in your own eyes, to look upon them with respect. When you can show other people that you feel you can learn from them, you will have a better chance of winning their friendship. This is not manipulation. As a Christian you can make the other person feel important because you know that they are! They’re important to God. Avoid flattery, but pursue sincere appreciation and look for ways to offer positive words of encouragement. It will break down walls and make friendship easier.

Prayer: Lord, help me today to take a genuine interest in the needs and concerns of other people.’

HOW NOT TO HINDER CHILDREN

The world can be a cruel place for children. From their earliest years, children pick up messages about their value from their environment. The younger they are the more they rely upon their parents for those clues as to their worth. Charles Cooley gave us the concept of the ‘looking glass self.’ He said that children come to resemble the image that the most important people in their lives have of them. They trust the perceptions of their parents and care-givers. So their behaviour and attitudes will often reflect those perceptions.

If you are a parent, your words to your children and about your children carry great power. Of course, we send out powerful non-verbal signals, too. Through our words and actions, we consciously or unconsciously impress a picture into our children’s minds, an image of who they are and what they have to offer that the big, wide world. When you consider the incredible influence we have in the development of our kids, it should make us rely on God even more.

Matthew 19:14 ‘Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”‘ (NIV)

In His strength, with His wisdom, we can avoid the poison of negative, short-sighted or self-serving words and actions. He can help us to control our actions, especially when we’re under pressure. Above all, when we commit our children to God in daily prayer, we receive his special covering for their minds and hearts. The world can be a cruel place for children, but our God is bigger than this world. He loves children and will protect the little ones entrusted to his care.

Prayer: (for parents) ‘Father in heaven, help me to say positive things to my children today. And to act in the way that shows them how valuable they are to you.’

488, 489, 490 . . .

There is no limitation on the number of times we should forgive. We don’t forgive because a person deserves it, but because God alone will judge and repay. The fact that a person has been forgiven does not mean that they will not be required to make amends in some way – especially if they have committed a crime, for example.

Jesus taught that they will have to pay the full price for their action, to make amends to those who’ve been wronged. But bringing people to moral and spiritual justice is God’s job, not ours. We should never build our lives around seeing others brought to judgement, especially when we are the ones who’ve been hurt. We may sometimes be God’s instrument in bringing correction to someone else, but that shouldn’t be our obsession.

It says in Matthew 18:22 ‘Jesus answered, “I tell you, [you should forgive] not seven times, but seventy times seven.’ (KJV)

Jesus taught that forgiveness must be an ongoing and persistent choice in my life. His disciples asked him how many times they should forgive an offense: should they forgive seven times, for example? Jesus replied, ‘Not seven, but seventy times seven.’ He wasn’t giving a number to be taken literally. He wasn’t saying that we should forgive someone up to 490 times and no more. After all, imagine you did try to forgive someone 490 times for the same offense – it’s beyond imagining, and that’s what Jesus meant.

Because of that we want to keep our hearts clear before God, and move into a healthy and fulfilling future. Therefore whether we feel like it or not we will choose to forgive, as many times as it takes.

Prayer: ‘Jesus, please help me to forgive others as you forgive me – as many times as it takes. I know that you will hold people accountable for the things they do to me, and I choose to release that into your hands.’