Last week we talked about the importance of being outside and how it helps you to connect. This week we want to talk about a few things that can hold us back.
Jesus had many opportunities to be hold back in his ministry, the reason he wasn’t was his focus. He knew what the father told him and does tell him every day. He says really clear that he does nothing what he doesn’t see his father do. So that helped him not to be sidetracked. He could have done more since he did not reach every single need that was around, but he didn’t, because he knew what the father had called him to do!
All of us have our priorities off at times in our life. That probably happened to each one of us and that is the reason why we have to assess from time to time to see how we are moving towards the goal. One of the big things I heard from many friends is that they don’t have the time to reach out to their neighbor. Work and activities takes up all of their time. Yes that can easily happen with the overload of stuff we can do in today’s time. But again that is another reason to prioritize. We need to put a value on loving our neighbor. Jesus made it the second most important command!
Another problem I heard was the area of fear and insecurity. What do they think of me if I go up to them? What if they don’t like me? The chances that they don’t like you are a lot smaller than the ones that they do!! Every person wants to be loved. Do you know how you overcome this fear? You face it! I am afraid of heights and when I look down I start to not feel good. But one of my big dreams was to skydive. Those 2 don’t go together very well. So about 10 years ago I faced my fear by jumping out of a plane. Did all my fear go away by that experience? No, but I know now that it is possible to overcome!
So you see there are different things that can hold you back, but that doesn’t change the calling. Jesus still called us to love our neighbor despite all the things that hold us back. So let’s take those action steps:
- Pray and assess what things hold you back.
- Ask God to help you overcome them and then move forward!
- By overcoming them you are able to help others to do the same thing!
Hey our friend
We hope you had a wonderful week!! An old friend of mine came to visit me from Germany this week which made me really happy!! We also had a wonderful time at our brunch and Haeusser Hangout where we made Pizza together. It is so special to connect with neighbors and become friends with them! Make 2017 the year of community and the year of loving your neighbor well!!
Thank you for praying with us!!Remember this week that you are amazing and loved!!
Have a blessed week!!
Markus and Jen