Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.

1 Peter 3:8

Today’s Daily Light, December 15, is nudging us to love.  A good reminder at this time of year when it seems like selfishness is just fine.  But the reminder is always there to be altruistic, not selfish.  I do believe that being a believer sends us down this road.  From a child I was thinking, “What will I get?”  That seemed well enough, but it must be abandoned by a much more compelling motivation, here, in Peter’s letter, it clear, we are to love one another, be compassionate and humble.  We all have needs, emotional and other needs, but our greatest need is to have compassion.

As I reflect, I am aware of the fact that my health seems to require more and more of my interest.  Getting older in the flesh is not to be despised but embraced.  But I am discovering it comes with certain demands. I need to guard against selfishness in its many forms.

Am I like-minded?  Do I really try to enter the lives of others?   Am I sincerely sympathetic, as Jesus is?  And do I love others, always compassionate and humble?

I have some work to do!  How about you?   Christmas reminds us of the joy of giving, may I give open-handedly?