(Begin with 1-2 minutes of silence)
There’s no way to get around it; we were designed for relationships with other people. But as counselor and author Larry Crabb has noted, we were not just made to be in relationship with others, but were designed to connect with others. In his book titled Connecting, Larry Crabb writes the following:
“God helps us become more like Christ by doing three things:
First, he provides us a taste of Christ delighting in us—the essence of connection:
- Accepting who we are.
- Envisioning who we could be.”
While Crabb goes on to write much more, one of the key principles he strives to apply is the importance of delighting in relationships with others.
This word – delight – has been all but lost in the vocabulary of too many people today. Rarely do we pause to consider, Who or what did I delight in today? In what ways can I truly take the opportunity to delight in others tomorrow? As followers of Jesus, those who will be known by our love for one another, perhaps it’s time to flip the script. It’s time to delight in others.
READING & PRAYERS:
PSALM 37:4, PSALM 40:8, MICAH 7:18, ZEPHANIAH 3:17 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)
QUESTION: Who is somebody you interact with on a regular basis but rarely delight in? How can you delight in them today?
DIGGING DEEPER: What would it look like for you to “flip the script” and take intentional opportunities to delight in others on a regular basis?
Take a Step: Practice listening to God by utilizing the One Minute Pause app at least twice a day.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I must confess that if I were to write down a list of the things I truly delight in, very few people may make my list. Yet I recognize the problem in this. If I as a follower of Jesus really am to be known by my love for others, I desperately need to grow in my ability to delight in others. Continue to shape me more into the image of Christ so that I may delight in others as He does. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(End with 1-2 minutes of silence.)
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