Appreciation Expressing thanks, praise or commendation, particularly in recognition of someone’s accomplishments or efforts. Gratefully acknowledging what someone “does.” (Colossians 3:15 b; 1 Corinthians 11:2)
At our home this week was the cutest little blonde “you’ve ever seen”. She sat at the table with two of us men and wowed us by her wit and charm. We are pretty sure the blonde hair was natural – especially since she just turned two years old. One of the things she said often that rings in my memory was, “I like your hair.” Our response was, “Thank you!” To which she responded, “You weuwkim.” Now, I can’t spell the way she said it but “weuwkim” is pretty close. Perhaps, “wekim” is a little closer to the original language. Her dad was with us so he interpreted when we needed help.
Somebody has been teaching that little girl to say “please, thank you, and your weuwkim (I mean “welcome”). That is obvious! She should have no problem being kind to others with her words as she grows through childhood into an adult lady.
I’m wondering if you and I could learn from her something about sharing Christ’s love with others. I know it is our assigned task and privilege to “go into all the world and make disciples of all nations”, and we take the Great Commission seriously. However, rather than waiting for a missionary’s call to a far away land, perhaps we can start right where we work, play, and live.
This next statement may not satisfy everyone’s missionary zeal, but would you consider starting or continuing your work of taking Christ to the nations by showing honest appreciation to those around you?
This week we’ll focus particularly on neighbors, co-workers, fellow students, and others that may not yet be in the family of faith. Let’s make this very clear up front: As a follower of Christ we should treat others with the same level of love whether they are inside or outside the faith. The truth is we may not know where they stand….yet. Rather than get mired in the muck of having to discern where a person stands in relationship to faith in Jesus Christ, let’s love them and develop a relationship with them so we can help them take steps of faith into God’s family and/or into a deeper love for Christ Jesus.
More is at stake than we may know!
WALKING IN THE LIGHT IS THE KEY!
Lord Jesus made it clear: “…Walk in the light while you can, so the darkness will not overtake you.” (John 12:35) John spoke, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.” (I John 1:7)
THREE SOURCES OF LIGHT – Help Us Experience Appreciation to Those Outside the Faith
Light Source #1: Jesus is the Light of the World (John 8:32) Walking in the Light: Experiencing God’s Love and Giving It Away (Appreciation)
Can you think of people to whom Jesus expressed appreciation who may not have been believers in His being the Messiah, who came to take away the sins of the world?
I can hear overtones of appreciation in His response to the Roman centurion (Matthew 8:8-10). Jesus heard the man express his appreciation for and faith in the authority Jesus clearly possessed and exercised. Jesus then praised the centurion to all those around by exclaiming, “Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel….(v. 10). I cannot tell from the passage whether this Roman yet believed Jesus was the Christ, but I do know Jesus appreciated and praised him for the faith he expressed.
Did you know that even before you expressed faith in Jesus, that He loved you? Did you know that when you became one of His followers by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-10) that a celebration took place in heaven?
Please pause for a few moments and quietly recall your time or some steps along the way of your becoming a follower of Jesus. As you recall, shift the focus off yourself to how Jesus looked and felt during that time. Listen to His celebration of your coming into His kingdom. Have you ever been celebrated and welcomed with a party of honored guests? Will the angels of heaven qualify as “honored guests” at your celebration party, given to welcome you into the forever family of Jesus? I think they will do. Praise God inwardly and outwardly for His celebrating your coming…not your perfect behavior…your coming to Him by faith.
Light Source #2: God’s Word is a “Lamp and Light” (Psalm 119:105) Walking in the Light: Experiencing God’s Love and Giving It Away (Appreciation)
Let’s Do the Book: Matthew 28:19-20 18: Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19: Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20: and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
I want to be very clear with this “doing the book” assignment – as I always do – but even more this time.
Making disciples is our mission, Jesus’ Great Commission. Loving people into the kingdom is our motive. (Great Commandment) Surely if we truly love God “with all of our heart, soul, mind, etc…” we will have a great desire to please Him and won’t be able to keep quiet about this great love from Him and for Him. When you love someone, you can’t keep quiet. In fact some folks are downright obnoxious when they can’t be quiet about the object of their love. (I don’t mean “loving” food, a movie, a game, a TV show, or a sport.) I am referring to being in love with a person.
That said, loving God and “your neighbor as yourself” may mean that you and I must find ways of expressing that love to other people. Now, your personality comes into play and your level of assertiveness or lack of it.
I want to take any condemnation off the table but leave the fact that the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 is a command, not a suggestion. Eternity hangs in the balance for people based on their response to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Now, consider how God wants you to obey this command. For some, your next step will be telling another person about the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. You will explain to them what Jesus meant by “You must be born again.” (John 3:7) Some people are not ready to hear, or at least we don’t know for sure. Some of us are not convinced we, or they, are ready for us to be that bold. We may need to lay a foundation first. I realize that some who read this will see this paragraph as a cop-out, but I don’t.
Who are those people you know, who may need to know of God’s love?
May I suggest we begin by simply praying for the person(s), caring in ways God opens doors, and then looking for that “no-brainer moment” to share Jesus when God makes it so obvious to us that we can’t miss it. A friend from Ohio told me the “No-Brainer” concept and another friend from California introduced me to the ” Prayer – Care – Share” idea.
Would you Pray for your neighbor, friend, co-worker, or family member? As opportunities arise or as you initiate times to connect (serve them, help them, invite them to your home or out to dinner/sporting event/movie…you get the idea), be ready to Care for them.
A simple way to Care is to meet the need for Appreciation . Please note this is not for manipulation at all, but since many people have no or few examples of being appreciated or praised, we might as well get started by praising them for things you have observed.
Would you observe how your neighbors, co-workers, family members, etc. are helping and serving you and others, are accomplishing goals, or making valiant efforts to make the world a better place? As you notice these things, celebrate/appreciate them.
We are fulfilling the Great Commandment when we love as Jesus loves. Jesus loved people, helped them know they had value to God, and shared the Good News of the kingdom. Sounds like a winning strategy. (Note these stories: Zacchaeus, woman at the well, woman caught in adultery, man born blind, Matthew, etc.)
Homework for Your Home or Workplace or School or Neighborhood or Somewhere else! 1. Pray for neighbors/co-workers/family and others you think need to come to know Jesus Christ. 2. As opportunities arise or as you initiate activities, serve those people or simply enjoy being around them. Maybe having fun is a good place to start. Care for others. 3. As God provides the relational depth or the “No-Brainer” moment, step over the line into their world and Share the Gospel of Jesus.
A Texas friend said it this way. To share the Good News of Jesus, listen well to “Their Story”, then briefly share “Your Story” in ways that connect with theirs, then tell “His Story” (The Gospel of Jesus and how He identifies with our pain and meets our needs)
You are Doing The Book as you walk in the light of God’s Word GC2/Great Commandment and Great Commission
Light Source #3: Followers of Jesus are called the “Light of the World” (Matt 5:14) Walking in the Light: Experiencing God’s Love and Giving It Away (Appreciation)
Homework with Your Church Family/Other Believers: Real Fellowship!!
1. Talk about Prayer – Care – Share with your spouse and children. Again, no need making a big deal of it, as if you are trying to sound “holier than thou”, but let your family walk with you and pray for neighbors. Let your spouse and children (Children of Focus) help you Care for others and hear you Appreciate others. Then, let your family know of answered prayer and changed lives – yours, as well as others. Sounds like Fellowship to me! 2. Tell It To Others: As your stories of Appreciation take shape, would you tell some of these to other believers? Don’t mention names and don’t give enough facts for folks to identify your friend/neighbor/co-worker. Your stories will encourage others to show Appreciation. Paul said, “I Corinthians 11:1 “Follow me as I follow Christ.” I think that applies to each of us. Don’t you? 3. One of the conversations with others outside the faith could include a discussion of how Appreciation, Affection, and Acceptance were shown in their own families during their early years. You might find it interesting to discover how many people can and will verbalize how these needs were or were not met. You will have a chance to love those wonderful folks by “rejoicing with them” or “mourning with them” based on their answers.
Our aim at TBI for this tool (The 52-Week Plan) is to equip you and your family with relational skills that prepare you to love God, your neighbors, and yourself as you fulfill both the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.
Praying that this tool is more that just something to add to your Inbox.