"But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers." ~ Verse 7
Many times at staff worship or dorm worship when I pray aloud, I make my prayers a bit goofy or light-hearted. I feel bad about this, but I can't think and don't know what to say when I pray aloud. My silent prayers are so simple and short. Like a few phrases. That to pray aloud is very stressful for me because I am no longer talking to God personally but representing those present.
Yet here we are told very specifically the attitude of our prayers and why. We are supposed to be serious, and dare say I, mature. Be aware of what is going on and talk to God about it. Because the beginning of the end has come.
"And above all things have fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins." ~ Verse 8
We know that God desperately loves us, all of us, including the people we ourselves bad talk or gossip about. Here He says how much He wants us to have that love for each other, including the person who didn't do something the way you would have.
So many times I have messed up. There are generally two reactions to when I don't do things right. The first reaction is to point out my mistake and then to remind me of it several times afterwards. The second is to point out how I did something right and then how to go about improving. Between those two ways, I found that I enjoyed being around people more who treated me the latter way. Less judged and more accepted. When I was treated the former way, I returned it automatically without thinking: criticism, judgement, and bitterness.
When you treat people in a caring and loving manner, they respond automatically more positively. That already influences their behavior towards God. Thereby avoiding some sins in the immediate future.
"Be hospitable to one another without grumbling." ~ Verse 9
When I worked at camp that first summer, I made a lot of mistakes. Having a job for the first time with other people around me. I socially had a lot of things to adjust to that others already had a knack for. One of my friends that I made that summer was a complete sweetheart. She always had a kind word for everyone she met, telling them why they were special as well as thanking them for something. If you were stressed or needed help, she offered even if her plate was full. She never complained nor did she listen to even her closest friends when they wanted to grumble about another person. She was very attuned to the fact that everyone has a good side and that everyone needs a Christian shoulder to lean on.
I think her story shows with beautiful clarity how we can live by this text. God wants us to the best host and hostess we can be at all times. Making people comfortable around us and relaxed. With no worry about being left out or misunderstood.
When you grumble, the opposite happens. People return how they are treated. It is in our nature. So be aware that there is a good side to everyone and that they have been through difficult times that made them the way they are. Don't complain, just love compassionately.
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