Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Are You Approachable? (1)

Taken from The Vine
When the Holy Spirit controls our lives He will produce... kindness, goodness... gentleness.

Dr. John Maxwell writes: "Sooner or later, a man, if he is wise, discovers that life is a mixture of good days and bad, victory and defeat, give and take. He learns that it doesn't pay to be a too-sensitive soul, that he should let some things go over his head. He learns that he who loses his temper usually loses out, that all men occasionally have burnt toast for breakfast, and that he shouldn't take the other fellow's grouch too seriously. He learns that carrying a chip on his shoulder is the easiest way to get into trouble, that the quickest way to become unpopular is to carry tales of gossip about others, that buck-passing always turns out to be a boomerang, and that it doesn't matter who gets the credit so long as the job gets done. He learns that most others are as ambitious as he is, that they have brains as good or better, that hard work, not cleverness, is the secret of success. He learns that no one ever gets to first base alone, that it's only through co-operative effort that we move on to better things. He realises (in short) that the 'art of getting along', depends 98% on his own behaviour toward others."

So, what about you? Jesus said, "Consider carefully how you listen" (Luke 8:18 NIV). When was the last time someone brought you news you didn't want to hear? Or strongly disagreed with you? Or confronted you? If it's been a while, you may not be a very approachable person. We can give no greater gift to others - than putting them at ease.

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