I am Proud of You!

“I’m very proud of you.” These words came out of my lips as my young grandson was telling me about his accomplishments on the athletics field. Then not long after it was followed with the words – “I would be proud of you no matter where you had come, just as long as you tried your best. That’s all God asks of us in life.”

Jesus describes it like this.

You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored?…  

You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid… let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:13-14, 16 NRSV

We need to be distinct in how we live our lives. Being a Christian, we must stand out somehow.  If we are to provide the light of Jesus Christ in our lives, we must give the best we can in the way we live our lives. We must love, share, do the best we can. Not comparing ourselves to others but doing what God has asked us to do.

Do people even know that there is something different about you?

My grandson had won first place for his effort in the javelin. I wanted him to know it was not him coming first that I was ultimately proud of but that he had participated and tried his best.

Not long after this sharing, I saw an athlete on the news running a marathon who had been doing amazingly in his time and efforts. Then he hit his wall. He had reached the limit of his body. He could go no further and was stumbling, falling, getting up again because he could see the finish line in sight.

He had been in first position.

The next athlete came around the bend of the track and passed him by, then another did the same……. But the third athlete to come up alongside of him, picked him up off the track and dragged him across the finishing line so they both received third place.

I sat there watching, praising God for that third runner. What a man to forgo the limelight just for himself. What love he showed his fellow man and to the world by doing this. This reminded me so much of Jesus’ parable about the good Samaritan.

But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.

Luke 10:29-37 NRSV

The question which starts this narrative is, “Who is my neighbour?”

The story ends with Jesus saying, “The one who showed him mercy.”

So, are we doing our best in life but not just looking out for ourselves? Are we showing mercy to all our neighbours?

That’s when Our God will one day, hopefully say, “I am proud of you! You did your best but also showed love and mercy to your fellow man. Come into my Kingdom. I have been preparing a place for you.”

May these jottings from my journal inspire you to believe in and fall in love with Christ- the hope of the world, as stated in Jeremiah 17:7, ‘Blessed is the man who believes and trusts in and relies on the Lord and whose hope and confident expectation is the Lord!’

Love

Rosemary

Every week groups of ladies meet together to chat about the things I raise in my weekly blog post and to chat about life in general. We call these ‘Heart Connect’ groups. If you would like more information please click HERE.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Who is your neighbour? Are you doing your best to look out for them?

Are you showing mercy to your neighbours? If not, why? What more could you do?

Do you need a change of heart?