Bible Study Blog–Text Message: Share Yourself

Blog
ShareYourself

When I think of sharing of oneself, mothers immediately come to mind. Because that’s what we do. We share of ourselves. Then I think about just the word sharing. What does that mean? You take a portion of what you have and give it to someone, right? Does sharing a conversation come into play? I think so.

That brings me to texting. Texting is a fairly recent thing in the world of technology. It caught on like wildfire. Truly a phenomenon. At first parents went nuts with their kids’ texting so much and using so much phone time because that’s how the phone company charged. You’d get this astronomical bill in the mail and your teeth and hair would literally fall out.

Bible Study BlogSeriously, it was enough to make you stick your fingers up your nose just to keep from screaming!

Then along came unlimited texting!

 

 

Bible Study Blog

Are you serious???

I’m absolutely serious.

Every parent in the world was like, “What?” But then it was a good thing—kinda/sorta. Our phone bills weren’t insanely high, but suddenly everyone stopped talking.

Now, as an author, I love the written word. So I justified it by saying, “Well, look at it this way. Kids will improve their writing skills and their vocabulary. Not to mention they’ll be reading!” Yes? Not! Because now everything became an abbreviation. Things like: 2F4U; MMW; 4YEO; IDK; TY; WFW. OMGosh!

Of all of Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians, this one is the earliest. Paul defends himself in Chapter 2, as there’s been talk about him. Mainly because he’s been boldly preaching the gospel of God’s love in and through Christ. He reminds them that this is his purpose. This love—God’s love—was not just for the Jews but for everyone.

Paul says that he must be vigilant in checking his motives about what he’s doing, making sure it’s in line with what God wants. The best way to show and share God’s love is to share ourselves with others. And you can’t do that via texting.

It’s the personal touch that makes the best impression. Likewise mothers and fathers can give their children the best gift and that’s the gift of themselves. Certainly we can all be a blessing to someone.

I knew a precious lady once who touched the lives of my entire family. My mother met Miss Rae on a trip to the Holy Land. They became fast friends and when Mother introduced me to her, I could see why. When Miss Rae went to be with the Lord, her daughter gave me a collection of poems Miss Rae had written. I thought this poem would fit snuggly inside of this blog:

Bible Study Blog

Who shares his life’s pure pleasures and walks the honest road?

Who shares and trades with heaping measure and lifts his brother’s load?

Who turns the wrong down bluntly and lends the right a hand?

He dwells in God’s own country—He tills the Holy Land.

I love this because it gets to the heart of sharing of oneself, of one’s time, of one’s presence, of one’s love. And that was wholly Miss Rae.

In May of 2016 a former Marine attempted to intervene during a domestic shooting and was fatally shot himself by an Army soldier who was accused of inciting the initial altercation. The Army soldier confronted his wife in front of her place of employment. He opened fire, hitting her in the leg. It was at that point that the former Marine attempted to intervene. The Army soldier then tried to flee the scene when the former Marine pulled a gun of his own in an effort to stop the fleeing soldier. The soldier turned and shot the former Marine in the head.

What started out as a Good Samaritan deed ended in a needless tragedy. Needless in that had the Army soldier not put in motion a series of events, the former Marine would still be alive. Almost makes you want to think twice about sharing of yourself, doesn’t it? But, then, acts of this nature fall into that paying the ultimate price category. Clearly the Good Samaritan was a true blessing to the woman. This is what we can all be if we take the time—a blessing to someone.

God has a plan and ultimately, we must all be what God wants us to be—what we’re meant to be. How do you see yourself in this world of texting? How often do you put down your phone and just talk with one another? I’d love to hear from you.

And that’s what I learned in Church……see ya next time!