Tuesdays with Morris

As I’ve been preparing for Sunday’s message, I’ve come across a wealth of resources that have really confirmed the direction for crafting the message. During this time of year, we often pause to give thanks for our blessings. But, I think what God really desires is that we show him how thankful we truly are by how we utilize our blessings to be a blessing to others. And, so, I’ll be talking about how we can show our thanks rather than just saying “Gee, thanks God for blessing me.”

While doing some reading over the weekend, I found the following in Dan Merchant’s book, “Lord, Save us from Your Followers.” Parts of this passage might make it into the message. So, like I said with my previous post, if you’re reading this and you hear you start to recognize it in the message…don’t check out…listen for a deeper meaning, engage with the words, and see what God is trying to say to us and challenge us with in these words.

“There’s one thing that will bridge a divide every time: valuing others above ourselves. Putting another’s need above your own, that’s the secret sauce. That’s why Mother Teresa was such a superstar - all she did was put the needs of others above herself. The advertising world is built on selling the notion of ‘you better get yours, you deserve it,’ but, oh man, we’ve missed it. We’re so in love with our own comfort we can’t see anyone else. We’ve been hypnotized. This is why when we do see those people sacrificing for others, we simply figure they’re freaks or destined for sainthood. But is it fair to dismiss them as the oddity when, actually, they’re the only ones who get it? If they’re doing it properly but are in the minority, they’re still the ideal, right? It’s funny, I trust the motives of those who are helping others with no chance of reward or personal gain. Only then do I believe they’re actually doing it, for the other person, and if that’s why they’re doing it, then I’m with them. The difference between trying to win an argument with someone and demonstrating love is the difference in they by-products: animosity or meeting needs. If you show people something real, something beautiful, they will want to talk. Why is the gospel of love dividing America? Because people are tired of hearing about love and not seeing enough of us show it. It’s time to do. And by do, I don’t mean take action for our cause; I mean selflessly assist someone in need, love one another, show me don’t tell me. People can’t help but respond to the authentic. Truth doesn’t have to shout, ‘Hey all you losers look at me, I’m Truth and you’re not!’ No, when Truth walks in the room, everybody simply stands up.”

So, how does that sit with you? Does it stir any thing up in your mind…your heart?