People Matter
A few years ago, I was driving through my town when I came upon a traffic jam at an intersection. The light was green, however, the cars were at a standstill. As I peered out my window, I saw a group of slow moving turkeys in the middle of the road. Now, when you see a turkey, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Stupid is what comes to my mind.
As I craned my neck further out the window to see the commotion, I noticed five turkeys walking in a choreographed line. They were moving at a snail’s pace, inching their way across the intersection. But what captured my attention, was the reason for this dawdling caravan. One of the turkeys had a broken foot and was unable to hobble correctly. Instead, he had to hop one inch at a time to make his way through the intersection.
What really impressed me about this injured turkey and brought me to surprised emotion, was the fact that his buddies did not leave their crippled friend. They too, inched along at the pace of their friend. They were protective, worried, patient, and clearly putting their buddy’s interest above their own. In that moment, my understanding of turkeys changed.
Who they really are and what they are made of, came out in how they took care of their friend.
It was obvious that these four overprotective birds had their friend’s interest above their own.
Things sometimes are not as they seem. At first sight, I saw a group of turkeys, lowly and weak compared to other birds. But when I looked closely, I saw that they are much smarter and caring than you think. In that moment, my perception of turkeys forever changed. In fact, I might have to switch to chicken this Thanksgiving.
Imagine the opportunities we have as Christian women to change the perception the world has of what it looks like to be a Christ follower. The biggest way we can influence our world is the way we live our lives and faith out. Especially, when it comes to our relationships with other Christians. We demonstrate this by the ways we love and serve one another, treat and take care of one another, and build unity and peace in our relationships.
As you care for others and put your own interests aside, the world watches and their perception changes as you exhibit Christ’s qualities of unity, peace, love, compassion, forgiveness, and grace.
And yes, as Christians, the world sometimes looks and judges us as turkeys. But you have an opportunity to show the world the essence of your faith by the ways you care for others!
Do you have relationships in your life where God is calling you to put their interests above your own? Maybe it is taking the first step towards reconciliation, extending grace to someone who has let you down, serving someone when it is inconvenient, or be willing to lay aside your plans for the day to help someone in need?
Philippians 2:1-5 says, Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.