3 Points to Ponder
- “We have no idea the power each of us possesses through simple acts of kindness. It has the power to change our world. When is the last time you’ve done an act of kindness with no thought of something in return?”
- “Actions speak louder than words 100% of the time. Where is one place in your life you need to talk less and do more?”
- “Reconciliation is one of the most visible signs of faith as it is built on forgiveness of the past in anticipation of a better future. Do you truly believe in reconciliation, and do you actively seek it in your life?”
2 Quotes to Share
“When Jesus rose from the dead, He didn’t make a speech, He made breakfast for His friends.” -Bob Goff
“In essence, we are reconciled to reconcile.” -Matt Chandler
1 Story of Impact
Like many disciples of the Way, I spent this Sunday sitting in the pews of my local church listening to the Easter resurrection message. It truly is an amazing story of Jesus overcoming death for us. But, something different jumped out at me this year when the pastor said, “Jesus made breakfast for His disciples. They had fled and left Him to die, and His response was to cook them breakfast.” (Read John 21 if you want more of the story.) Jesus didn’t call His disciples in to give them some long speech. He didn’t call an all-day retreat to talk through what happened. He didn’t rebuke them or write them up for their behavior. Instead, after a full night of fishing, He shows up to cook them breakfast. Even writing this today, I can’t help but smile when I picture this in my head. The very Creator of the universe, the One who was in the beginning, who had just overcome death, loves His disciples enough to come and make them breakfast after a very long night of fishing. He was meeting them right where they were at and serving their most basic need. When things go very wrong between you and someone you love, what is typically your response? How complicated do you make it? How many times do you run a scenario through your head or go over and over again what you think you want to say? Maybe you are making it too complicated, as a real honest action of service is needed more than anything. Meet someone’s basic needs and create a bridge for connection. Be present in a real way. This week, follow the resurrected Jesus’ example of simple acts of service to build a bridge of connection for someone who has wronged you. It will be good for your soul.
