Begin with 2 minutes of silence and stillness before God.

As I read through these chapters trying to decide where to go with this devotion, I kept coming back to the first two verses of 1 Timothy 5:

“Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him respectfully as you would to your own father. Talk to younger men as you would to your own brothers. Treat older women as you would your mother, and treat younger women with all purity as you would your own sisters.”

Most of you have probably heard of the Golden Rule: Treat others as you want to be treated (Luke 6:31). I was reminded of this when I read these verses in 1 Timothy. Whatever your age or stage in life, I think we all want to be treated with kindness and respect. 

That is easy to say, but not always easy to do! It can be a little easier to treat someone how you want to be treated when they are in the same stage of life as you.

• If you are a college student, you understand what other college students are going through or feeling, so it’s easier to treat them as you want to be treated.
• If you are a parent of a toddler, you understand what other parents of toddlers are experiencing, so it’s easier to show them a little kindness.
• If you are a middle school girl, you definitely know what they go through each day, and I hope you are treating them with the same kindness you would want!

It can be a little harder to show that kindness and respect when you can’t empathize with their stage in life or if you have forgotten what it feels like to be that age. As a 48-year-old female who has no kids (unless you count my dog!), I have no idea what a father of three or a mom sending her child off to college is feeling or dealing with. But that doesn’t mean that I can’t show kindness and respect to them or anyone else I come into contact with, no matter their age or what they may be dealing with. 

When you start to see others as Jesus sees them, it can change your perspective! 1 Timothy 2:6 says, “He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone.” Read that again: EVERYONE. The stay-at-home mom of three who lives next door, the guy who sits next to you in class, that person in the Wal-Mart checkout who has a full cart in the 15 items or less self-check... God loves them all and sent His Son to die for every last one of them. If Jesus gave His life to purchase freedom for everyone, then shouldn’t we be able to show kindness and respect for them? 

So, the next time you get frustrated with that coworker or angry at one of your family members for something they have done, stop and think for a second. How would you want to be treated in that moment? It probably won’t be easy, but showing a little kindness and respect can go a long way. Remind yourself that God loves them just as much as He loves you. 

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” - Aesop

Take two minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

Use the S.O.A.P. Method to study God’s Word.

• SCRIPTURE: What stands out to you in today’s passage?
• OBSERVATION: What is this text saying? What is the context? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? Are there any commands, instructions, or promises? 
• APPLICATION: How can you apply this verse to your life? What does this mean today? What is God saying to you? 
• PRAYER: Respond to the passage in prayer. Ask God to help you apply this truth to your life and spend some time listening to what He may be telling you.

FALL AT VENTURE

KXP, MVMNT, The Gathering, House Church, and Care Groups are all starting back this fall! Check the Fall at Venture webpage for launch dates and events happening this fall at Venture.