Wednesday, August 2, 2017

Mid-Week Message - How Are You?

Does this sound familiar?  "How are you doing today?"  "I'm fine. How are you?"  "Fine."  How many times a day do you hear these words?  There is a comedian that does a whole bit on this.  He enacts a day in the hallway at work.  Each time he passes someone they go through the "how are you" routine.  His question was this, "Why do we do that every time we pass each other in the hallway? Is it necessary for some reason?  Do you even care what the other person says or are we so programmed to the answer being 'Fine' that we don't even actually hear what the other person says?"

Have you heard the "how are you" question today?  If so, how did you answer?  The real question isn't whether someone asked you how you were, but rather, did they ask it sincerely.  Did they look you in your eyes and stop long enough to gauge whether your answer of "fine" was true?  If you said, "fine", were you?  

In this day and time everyone seems to be so busy with their own lives that we rarely take the time to truly know those around us. Neighbors live years without knowing more than each other's names. With technology in the household came seclusion.  Rather than being out on the porch chatting with friends, we spend the evenings on the couch in front of the television.  Even in churches we often don't know the person sitting beside, in front of, or behind us.  Some churches are so large that unless you get involved in a small group, you may not even see the same people each week.  

Romans 12:10-16 has this to say, "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need.  Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited."

How can we be devoted to those we do not know?  How can we honor them, share with them, rejoice or mourn with them?  Is practicing hospitality merely a suggestion?  What do we individually and collectively need to do to fulfill what Paul is admonishing us to do?  

The answer can start with one question.  When we ask someone how they are doing, we need to stop, look directly into their eyes and listen.  They need to know without a shadow of a doubt that we are sincere and that we are asking from love, not duty or formality. Then, when they share what is on their heart, we need to go with them to the foot of the cross in prayer.  Jesus takes the time to know us.  Somehow, He deals with each of us as if we were His only concern.  That is how we need to treat each other.  When we do, relationships will form and grow and we will be able to love as He loves. God bless you.

No comments:

Post a Comment