Life On MissionSample

We can often know the right thing to do, but lack the motivation to do the right thing. You know that you need to change the oil in your car, but you lack the motivation. You know you need to clean your room, but you lack the motivation. You know you need to watch your diet, but you lack the motivation.

We learned that Jesus was motivated to action by his compassion for others and that we should strive to operate that same way. However, this is easier said than done. We have competing motivations that divide our attention and effort. Paul knew and described this tension well. After describing the immoral and selfish practices that we all know, he says this, “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must forgive.” (Colossians 3:12-13) I think you can fake being compassionate. I honestly think that you can pretend to be compassionate, when under the surface you are prideful, arrogant and selfish. Compassion can’t be a mask that we put on when needed. It must be an overflow of our lives. Often a little spiritual introspection is necessary.

Colossians 3:12-13 gives us some great qualities that we should exemplify in our lives. Rate how you’re doing in each category with 1 being badly and 10 being excellent.

Compassion. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Kindness. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Humility. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Meekness. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Patience. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Forgiving. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

I am convinced that when the Holy Spirit brings up an area of our lives that needs attention that he also empowers us to make a change. This is great news as we continue to reflect Jesus to others.

Spend some time praying that God will give you strength, power and courage to reflect his compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience and forgiveness.