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Wanting to shine comes naturally. Wanting everybody else to shine instead is a great leap (and a great relief).
“God’s way of thinking is different than ours. And the whole point is that we should take the great leap from our own thoughts to those of God.” Dr. Paul Tournier
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition. . . . Rather, with humility of mind, value others above yourself.” Philippians 2:3
When you get so tired of yourself that you want to change no matter what it takes, God is already at work.
“‘Rosamond,’ [the wise woman] said, ‘all this time . . . I have been doing what I could to make you a lovely creature. . . . If you please to come . . . to me, I will help you . . . to be good and lovely.’” From a fairy tale by George Macdonald
“God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what is good and pleasing and delightful.” Philippians 2:13
A lot of today’s choices will boil down to one thing: to-be-or-not-to-be selfish. Sometimes just remembering that is half the battle.
“Choices are hard.” Gwyneth Ferguson, age 5
Father, thank You for offering me Your gracious help today. It will be a relief at every turn. From Hebrews 4:16
When the road ahead looks long and daunting, it helps to remember that you don’t have to live any tomorrows today (and you don’t have to live any todays alone).
“[D]on’t be gazing at that mountain or river in the distance and saying, ‘How shall I ever get over [it]?’ but keep to the present little inch that is before you and accomplish that in the . . . moment that belongs to it.” M. A. Kelty
“[T]he eyes of the Lord search the whole earth that He may strengthen and embolden and encourage those whose hearts are wholly His.” 2 Chronicles 16:9
There’s a lot of talk these days about taking good care of our bodies. Sometimes we need a little encouragement (and permission) to take good care of our souls, too.
“Here I am, gentle Lord: you know the state of my soul this day, whether disconsolate or weary . . . ; let me come to you now for hope and rest and quiet joy, for you are a refuge for my soul.” Bobby Gross
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why are you disturbed and disquieted within me?” Psalm 43:5
You can spend today asking what-can-I-get, or you can choose now to look for every small chance to give.
“Do not only take occasions of doing good when they are thrust upon you; but study how to do all the good you can. . . . [I]t will make your neighbors to be to you as yourselves. . . .” Richard Baxter
“[B]e rich in good deeds, generous and ready to share. . . .” 1 Timothy 6:18
