Category: Devotion

Do Unto Others and to Yourself

Peter Hallett1 Comment

‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’ This is a powerful call to kindness and mutual respect. By gaining insight into the value of others, relative to our own, we act more justly.

‘Do unto you what you have been expecting others to do for you.’ This is a powerful call to take responsibility for our own well-being rather than demanding others to fill our needs, which they never can. By choosing not to blame or bargain, we mature as people and allow others the freedom to give kindness, unhindered by demand.

Neither statement can be fulfilled by humankind without the grace of God abounding in our hearts, restoring true humanity. PH

Hold on and look onward and upward

Peter HallettLeave a comment

Ever felt like you are just holding on? That life's on the edge? At times like this, looking up is better than looking down. In any case, just holding on is still holding on! Photo by PH, Mt Pilatus, Switzerland 2009

Be exhausted for God

Peter HallettLeave a comment

The word exhaust literally means to empty or drain completely of resources. We use it to mean we are very tired but it goes deeper than weariness, and includes an emptying out of any capacity we have to give.

Sounds like something to avoid but Oswald Chambers has this to say today in My Utmost for His Highest:

“He saved and sanctified you in order to exhaust you. Be exhausted for God, but remember that your supply comes from Him.”

If we think of exhaustion as being tired, this doesn’t sound very useful. But if we consider that we have been gripped by God to be poured our for His purposes and filled endlessly by His grace, we find more hope.

This is why Chambers asks us to consider: “Where did you start the service from? From your own sympathy or from the basis of the Redemption of Jesus Christ.”

Sympathy is easily exhausted and rarely replenished. The Redemption of Christ is a high vantage from which to view and ceaseless well of refreshing. Live there and exhaustion or anything else will not beat you. PH