Jesus was opposite to what the world expected and he wants us to follow his example in treating others in a way opposite to what they would normally expect.

Ephesians 4:32-5:2

³² Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. 5 ¹ Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children ² and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Have you found yourself in situations similar to those below? How did you respond? Closer to a, b or c.

1: You have asked your spouse/friend to get cold drinks on their way home as you are expecting company. They arrive home having forgotten to get any drinks. Do you:

1. Shout or grumble at them, telling them how unreliable and unsupportive they are.
2. Get into the car in a huff muttering under your breath that you are running out of time and drive off to buy them yourself.
3. Notice how stressed and tired they are and stop yourself before you get angry saying to them not to worry you are sure a plan can be made.

2: You are driving along when you notice someone is about to cut in front of you. Do you:

1. Speed up preventing them from being able to take the gap in front of you.
2. Offer out a few curses and grumble about the shocking drivers on the roads as they take the gap in front of you.
3. Ease back making a larger space for them to enter and continue unaffected by their lack of manners.

Many of us would find ourselves acting out a or b responses to the situations above. The world teaches us to think of ourselves first, to protect what is ours and to progress our own agendas. In fact the world tends to admire and reward those that are powerful, arrogant and demanding of attention.

Then Jesus entered the world and turned it all upside down. He was the opposite to what the world expected; humble and continually sought to uplift others. He went as far as giving us a commandment to love others as we would ourselves (he did not specify to only love nice people either). In the verses from Galatians above, it is again reminding us to do the opposite of what the world expects namely to be kind, compassionate and forgiving. This is not so easy. Fortunately Jesus promised us a helper, his Holy Spirit.  We don’t have to rely on our own strength we just need to accept that Jesus can work through us and allow him to do so.

So if you find yourself acting a bit out of character and reacting in accordance with the c answers above you will know that Jesus is at work in you and that you are walking in the way of love

Head: Christ gave us the ultimate example of putting others first by sacrificing himself for us. Take some time to remember that he not only loves us, he even loves that person that we despise and sacrificed himself for them too.

Heart: Is your automatic reaction to situations critical or aggressive? Do you hold a grudge against anyone? How would it feel to react with kindness or forgiveness instead?

Hands: Allow the Holy Spirit to prompt you to be opposite to what everyone expects. Start small. It may just be by reacting in a more compassionate and forgiving manner to a situation at home where you would normally blow up in anger.

Prayer: Dear Lord. Please help me to allow your Holy Spirit to work within me. Please prompt me in situations where I could choose to act opposite to what the world expects, bringing your love and compassion to those around me. I pray in Jesus name. Amen

A song to listen to: Love changes everything

Hayley Alexander