OCTOBER 6, 2023

    “Individual commitment to a group effort--that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.” 

― Vince Lombardi

ISAIAH 34-36

8And a highway will be there;

it will be called the Way of Holiness;

it will be for those who walk on that Way.

The unclean will not journey on it;

wicked fools will not go about on it.

9No lion will be there,

nor any ravenous beast;

they will not be found there.

But only the redeemed will walk there,

10and those the Lord has rescued will return.

They will enter Zion with singing;

everlasting joy will crown their heads.

Gladness and joy will overtake them,

and sorrow and sighing will flee away. (35:8-10)

PHILIPPIANS 2

1Therefore if you have any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose.

3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

JOURNAL 

I really wish I could fully capture the mindset of this verse from Paul every moment of every day. Paul's mindset is completely fused in following Christ. That mindset is one of service. This verse states that our greatest calling and greatest achievement is in service, love and sacrifice to each other. Yes it is ultimately to God, but that extends and plays out to each other.

In the grand scheme of life and the vastness of the universe, we are a minuscule speck individually. Thankfully God does not require me to stand alone, God actually requires me to engage and be part of his kingdom.That means that my greatest joy will be experienced as part of a team. My greatest accomplishment will be what I do in sacrifice and love for another. My commitment and love for others is what makes my life more than a speck, more than an insignificant vapor in time.

16Rejoice always, 17pray continually, 18give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18