Scripture
“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.” (1 Peter 3:8-9)
Observation
There are 5 characteristics Peter display of how we represent Christ when it comes to serving and being with others; be like-minded, sympathetic, loving, compassionate and humble. Do the very opposite of this and you got a recipe for disaster but here Peter gives direction to lead ourselves as we serve God with others. Holding up to these 5 characteristics may not always mean everything will go smoothly but you’ll be able to lead with a clean spirit and pure conscience.
Application
I am learning a lot about myself in this season. The things I use to tolerate, I no longer have patience for and the things that would bother me, I now permit! Learning these 5 characteristics might not always come naturally to me. But the more I live these things out, I know it’s a recipe for leading well. The only way I am tested where I stand with being like-minded, sympathetic, loving, compassionate and humble is evaluated my heart when I am with family, my team, with friends and with coworkers. Relationships always brings out our worst and best characters. That’s how God is able to use relationships to see rather or not will we live out our faith. I want to engrave these 5 characteristics on my heart and allow the spirit to stir within me as I learn to lead others and love my family!
Prayer
God, teach me your ways to be like-minded, sympathetic, loving, compassionate and humble. Lord, pin point areas in my life when I am not these. May my heart be soften to be quick to self correct when I am off track. As I continue to build, lead and restore relationships, give me the capacity to love and the endurance to pursue healthy relationships by living out these 5 characteristics. Amen
