Work, rest and play are all a foretaste of glory divine. Gifts from the giver who keeps on giving. Gifts shaped just right for who we were created to be. Gifts to be celebrated as together we walk in a manner worthy of the calling we have received. Gifts to be enjoyed and rejoiced over community with humility, gentleness and patience, bearing with one another in love.
Humility is an attitude of the mind. Humility recognizes our dependence on God’s grace. Humility sees the unique, infinite value of other people from God’s perspective. Humility humbly walks alongside another person and helps them to excel. Humility rejoices when others with more skills than we have succeed. Humility celebrates that someone is more talented, more gifted, more handsome or more beautiful than we are.
Gentleness is an outward manifestation of humility. Gentleness is considerate of the needs and feelings of others. Gentleness softens our sharp edges and keeps us from scraping, cutting and bruising those we get close to. Gentleness knows how to handle the prickly porcupines in our workplaces. Gentleness lends a caring hand for the long haul with those who are broken, wounded, bleeding emotionally or scarred spiritually. The touch of gentleness brings God’s healing into their lives.
Patience enables us to walk step by step in humility and gentleness in the company of disappointing, frustrating and downright offensive people. Patience endures all kinds of circumstances. Patience is hunkering down for the lengthy, arduous process of spiritual growth. Patience allows others to learn at their own pace and to make mistakes. Patience never gets bothered by those who don’t follow policies or procedures. Patience accepts all people regardless of how they approach their work. Patience walks a mile in someone’s shoes and listens to their heart before speaking one word.
When we bear with one another in love we are filled with forgiveness, understanding and empathy. We offer each other the grace to grow in Christ in our own unique way and pace. We create safe places for each other to develop the unique gifts and abilities God has blessed us with, without fear of judgement or condemnation.
Love is the foundation for humility, gentleness, patience and bearing with each other. Love expects nothing in return. Love puts aside our own desires for personal fulfilment and peace of mind. Love is filled with heartfelt concern for others. Love overflows from hearts where Christ in all his fullness dwells. Love pours forth from a life rooted and grounded in God’s love.
Humility, gentleness, patience, bearing with one another and love are five stepping stones that Christ leads us along one step at a time to a clearing at the end of the path where we will live in the unity of the Spirt in the bond of peace. When we walk with humility, gentleness, patience, forbearance and love we anticipate the enjoyment of God and all of his children in the new creation where we will dwell in the presence of the triune God.
God’s mighty strength that raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms is more than strong enough to enable you to walk with humility through your workplace.
The riches of God’s grace that he has lavished on us, raising us up with Christ and seating us with him the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus is more than sufficient to enable you to walk gently amongst your co-workers.
The hope to which Christ has called you, is so glorious that you can walk patiently alongside anybody.
God’s love which establishes your life unmovable and unshaken in any situation is broad enough, long enough, high enough and deep enough to encompass all the people you work with.
God’s love which surpasses knowledge in which you can sink the roots of your life is abundantly more than you need to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Eph 3:20-21).
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