O.K. We admit it…We’re country hicks! We don’t wear overalls and we don’t chew “tobaccer”, but we do own a pickup, we do grow our own food, we do our best to live simply, and we do live well off any beaten path. So much so that some folks avoid coming down our driveway when the weather is anything but sunny and dry! It is NOT a “user friendly” driveway.
That got me thinking. As a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ am I “user friendly”? Are YOU? Are we approachable? Are we good listeners? Are we trustworthy with people’s confided hurts? Are we servants? Are we “user friendly” – pliable – in the Master’s hands?
We were challenged by one of our fellow missionaries to consider God’s “one another’s” as we rub shoulders with those around us. Did you know that there are over 30 different “one another’s” in God’s Word? Here’sjust a sampling…
“…have peace one with another.” (Mark 9:50)
“…love one another.” (John 13:34)
“…by love serve one another.” (Gaatians. 5:13)
“Bear ye one another’s burdens…” (Galatians. 6:2)
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)
The “one another’s” of the Bible basically describe our job description as Member Care missionaries. But, you’ll notice that each one of those “one another’s” are written as commands…non-negotiable! So, if you’re a child of God, guess what? We’re partners in ministry!
Folks, we have our work cut out for us. And, yes, it is impossible to be this “user friendly” in our own strength. But what a trophy of victory we can be for our Lord as we allow Him to move and love others through us, His kids.
“For this cause we also…do not cease to pray for you…that ye might walk worthy of the Lord…Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.” (Colossians 1:9-11)