Listen:
“With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.” (Ephesians 4:2)
Reflect:
When I read this out of context, my first thought is, I can’t be completely humble and gentle with everyone, nor patient. I can name a person who displays deep humility and another who shows gentleness in all her ways, but to find all these things in one person, notably me, that’s a tall order. But Paul later goes on to say that Christ has given each of us grace and we will get there eventually with His help.
I’ve been emptying my family home with my brother and sister and those who have had to do something similar will know the challenge. So many items that bring back childhood memories, the template our mother used to decorate a birthday cake, a table runner that has adorned our dining table since we were children, carved wooden chairs that our mother painstakingly reupholstered. Too many things to keep, too many decisions to make and also we all had to agree.
There wasn’t always unity and gentleness between us – three individuals, each heartbroken at letting go of things that brought back shared memories and at the reason for it. Sometimes, demonstrating humility, gentleness and patience is hardest with our own family. But grace prevailed and we bore each other with love. The tenderness and support of friends helped us. I was humbled by my brother’s constant presence, despite suffering from severe depression and autism. My sister also lives with challenging circumstances and is under constant stress. Her gentleness and attitude of service were a lesson to me. No, we’re not perfect, but by God’s grace we found unity and patience in the challenge and love overcame.
‘The whole body … grew and built up in love, each part doing its work.’ adapted from Ephesians 4:16.
Questions to Ponder:
- Do you have people you struggle to ‘bear with in love’ – can you ask for God’s grace to pray for them?
- Which of humility, gentleness or patience would you like focus on increasing this week?
Prayer of Response:
Lord, it is only through You that we will attain the full measure of Your love. Build us up individually and collectively that we may grow into Your body and reach unity of faith. Speak to us as we think of situations in our own lives that challenge us to do this. Amen.
—Submitted by Lis Ho
Lis is living in Lyon, France, a recent empty nester, as her son is now at university in the Netherlands. Lis attended her first Lifesprings retreat in 2010 and was part of the LSM Lyon team. She is involved in the prayer ministry team at her church and has a heart for getting alongside women and healthy ageing. Her portfolio career includes portrait photography, teaching English as a foreign language and most recently, pilates. Her ‘word’ for this year is ‘wait’.