Philippians is one of my favorite writings of the Bible. I know many refer to them as books of the Bible, but they were letters and essays when first written and only became ‘books’ after being bound together in a book called the Bible.
No, I am not going to make a big deal about semantics today, it’s just one of my little quirks. That and the numbered verses and the chapter divisions. I really just enjoy the words in the original flow, without man’s interruptions. Man can mess up some beautiful things, you know?
But Philippians has some of my favorite sentences in it. One of them is one of the first I ever referred to as a life ‘verse’.
Philippians 1:19
“Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.”
Whatever is happening to me, I count as something I can use to make me stronger in my relationship with God and make me a better person overall moving forward each day. It might be a good fortune or a day of body ravaging pain but through each I move forward with the one constant in my life. And I use all for my betterment.
But that sentence is not what was given today for me to think about and ponder upon. No, I was given instead;
Philippians 2:3
“1Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
I found the sentence today interesting. I’m not overly sure why. Okay, perhaps I do know why.
Think about it like this. Say you go on vacation and you have to leave your house and expensive things behind but you are the only one you can count on, the only one you can trust. Would you actually be able to relax on vacation or even take that vacation?
Now think about if your neighbors cared about you, watched out for you and each other, each others property and safety. Would you be able to go on vacation and relax?
Yes, I know what most people think of when they read the verse. We are supposed to put other people before us as Christ put others before himself. But there are many benefits even before we get to heaven we can receive if we all just did as this verse said.
I like to think I consider others before I do myself at times. No, I am sure I don’t all the time. Just wanted to say that before anyone decided to think I was being all braggadocious or something. I know I care about my blogs and my writing and the happiness of those of you reading what I write. But I do sometimes put things on delay to help here and there. Why do I do that?
I do some things around Blog World that people would ask to be paid for. You know what? I enjoy doing the things I do. I rarely, if ever have said no to helping someone. Why? In all honesty, I’ve never thought to say no. Maybe afterwards or in the middle of something that is taxing during a fibro flare, I might get that “I so regret saying yes” feeling, but the person’s happiness makes it better.
Don’t do things for others for recognition. I haven’t told you what I’ve done or for whom. Anything I’ve ever written with someone I’ve not wanted my name there but it’s been pretty much insisted upon at times. I like just helping and seeing the person get good results . . . if they do. Most of the time I really don’t do that much except just spark an idea.
Anyway. Help others. Put others needs before your own. It sounds like a big thing but it isn’t always. If you’re a boss, stand up for your employees. I did that when I was a boss. I ended up being stabbed in the back by one of those I stood up for time and again, but here I am . . . doing what I love most, writing. All works out for my deliverance.
Until Next Thoughtday,
Ronovan
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ronovanwrites 
Your words are inspirational, as a way of Being. It is so easy to become cynical, distrustful, unloving – to live in fear and thus perpetually look out for ‘No. 1’, ourselves. A great reflection piece… thanks. 🙂
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Through your help, many of us have found our voices. Though you might not want acknowledgment for what you do, we appreciate the time you spend helping us, even through your personal pain. Again, thank you for being an inspiring friend/teacher/blogger. 😊
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It’s a difficult thing to believe: that everything that happens is for our benefit–particularly when we are in the middle of something unpleasant. Sometimes, in retrospect, we can get a glimpse of it, as you mention regarding a negative experience with employees ultimately allowing you to focus on writing, but other times we cannot see the link. Then there is Christian love for others. You tackled two big ideas in this one piece. Very nice and thoughtful for a Sunday morning.
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Reblogged this on theowlladyblog.
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[…] in a most unexpected way while I was reflecting on Ronovan’s article in RonovanWrite’s My Sunday Thoughts – For Others. A worthwhile read, go check it […]
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