IT’S ABOUT THE OTHER GUY
Our house sits pretty much by itself in the beautiful bucolic farm fields of Lancaster Pa. We sit back off of a small country road. We don’t get lots of traffic so it is very quiet. However, we do get “walkers”. People love to walk their dogs on our road. This thrills me most of the time because I am a dog lover. But why, oh why with all the fields surrounding us along this byway do dogs love to poop in our yard? You may be asking by now what on earth this has to do with Sunday and God so let me connect the dots…
But first, let me continue my story…
I want to say, “listen dog owner, pull your puppy to the other side of the road so they can do their business in a field. Have a little common sense and courtesy!”
A few weeks ago I listened to one of our pastors at church give a WONDERFUL sermon about “It’s Not About You, It’s About The Other Guy” and he used the illustration of a dog “going” in his yard. Boy, did that strike a cord with me! I was agreeing with him in my head, “you too?… I know!!!!!”.
Then he said we should be thrilled that someone dinks our car or we sit next to the chattiest person on the plane when all we want to do is nap or those pesky bible thumping people show up at our doors or our neighbor’s dog poops in our yard. WAIT, WHAT?
You see, it’s not about you and me! No not even a little. It’s about people showing up in our lives even at the most inconvenient times and seeing each and every incident as an opportunity to share the grace and love and gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Our focus should be on Jesus. And Jesus’ focus is on the lost!
The last words recorded that Jesus spoke on earth as He was ascending into Heaven was…
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
When I am on my deathbed I won’t talk about the weather or other trivial things. My words will be important and meaningful and helpful. I hope I will leave my family with the wisest of wise words that will bear incredible fruit in their lives. Words that will resonate throughout my posterity!
I think this is just what Jesus did. He commanded his disciples to introduce Him and His kingdom to others. You and I will never know if a person is ready to hear about Jesus! Ready to have his or her life changed! Ready to serve the one true God and have eternal purpose.
So we need to use every opportunity that comes into our path as an opportunity to connect in a belly-to-belly, heart-to-heart way. We need to show others, no matter how brief our contact, the grace and love the Father has shown us. And through the leading of the Holy Spirit, we need to introduce them to the Savior of their souls!
So I have my little doggy litter bags ready and maybe a glass of something cool and a dog treat too! Come on dogs… walk your people by my house. You are welcome!!! Because it’s not about me. It’s about the other guy!
Memorization verse:
DECLARE HIS GLORY AMONG THE NATION, HIS WONDERS AMONG ALL PEOPLE” Ps 96:3
In all in….belly to belly, heart to heart
Love that you are, Gail!
I love this!!! And it is so true!
What a great message, and using my favorite animal (besides human beings) to illustrate the point. It was totally unexpected, but made an impression on me. Thank you for sharing, Yvonne.
Connie
Great message! Our actions speak louder than words and reaching others for Christ in our increasingly secular world is more challenging than ever. Thank you for sharing your faith!
Thank you for sharing the word this morning. I love that you proclaim Jesus. Not only are you talented in design, you also have a gift with words. Thank you.
Yvonne – you are the best church I’ve ever attended. I always learn something that will improve my life (by helping in the lives of others). Thank you so much.
Bless your sweet heart, Carol. I’m just one girl who loves the Lord!
SO good! And, so timely.. in the middle of a study at church on sharing the gospel… it feels so awkward… (I think that’s the “me” part) Thank you for sharing! I’ll pray that you get plenty of ‘walkers’ <3
Just be you in the Lord. And pray for an opening… it will come. Remember what the Paul says… ” I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor”. 1 Cor 3:6-8
Loved & needed this, thanks!!!
Thank you for this message on this Sunday. I needed your wake-up. I enjoy your posts so very much. I live in CA where its been over 100 for 26 days straight and forest fires are raging. My weather is very different from yours but I adore your tips and try to relate them to my home and yard. Thank you!
I’ve had the folks in CA in my prayers! xo
Thank you for reminding me about the real reason people cross our paths. We should never miss an opportunity to share God’s gift of grace, Jesus never did.
Bless you, Sister.
Roz
New reader here- excited to know we are sisters in Christ and thanks for the reminder that it’s not about me.
Thank you for this great message! I want to be willing to share Jesus when an opportunity is there.
I love your decorating tips and beautiful pictures but the fact that you are a Christian also keeps me coming back.
Yvonne, this said a lot of how we should treat others. It’s something to think about.
Thank you for this wonderful post! I LOVE your blog, and I’m so thankful to have found someone who is a believer and approaches decorating (which I also love) from that perspective.Blessings.!
Today’s message is just wonderful and to the point. Instead of getting annoyed, Christians need to see these interruptions as an opportunity.
When I travel or shop at the mall, I put some nice bookmarks with scripture printed on them in my purse. I seem to attract people who need another person to listen to their woes. And I have the bookmark handy to leave with them. My husband gets tired of waiting for me as I chat away.
Before I go out, I ask The Lord to help me radiate Joy and glorify Him, as I go about my errands. He never fails to put me where I can share the gospel, in small ways.
Sometimes people just need to hear that you appreciate the services they provide in their jobs. This world is not our world. But we are commissioned to spread the Word, in any way we can.
Thank you, Yvonne for the important lesson this Sunday. May God continue to bless you and yours.