Advent Devotional: Day 10

“Dear brothers and sister, I close my letter with these last words;  Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.”  2 Corinthians 13:11 NLT

ESV says, “aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another.”  The NIV says, “strive for full restoration, be of one mind.”

I have a secret that will change the world or at least your world. It is a simple change, but the impact is incredible.

In relationships strife happens when our hearts want our way. That “my way or the highway” attitude seems to rear its head more often when I feel unheard or unseen.  I think that same attitude is ever present in our world outside our homes. Me first at an intersection. Me first at work. Me first in the political arena.

Are you ready for the secret?  Others first. That’s it. If we shift to a servant heart, placing others’ needs ahead of our own, there’s a peace that comes. A writer once said that in a marriage you should try to out serve one another. Serving one another brings joy.

Our scripture in this light (out serving one another) takes on a new meaning. Without selfishness peace and harmony can be achieved. We can see how to encourage and comfort one another.  This is the example Christ showed us.  He simply loved others in a very humbled way.  His life was about showing the love of God to the world to the point that the cross was the ultimate expression of His love for us.

In what ways can you find peace in serving others?  Sometimes it is the smallest thing that brings joy and peace (like bring someone a cup of coffee).