Daily Encounter: A Week-day Devotional by a staff of ACTS International.

Wednesday, April 10, 2024

"Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters ... in singleness of your heart as unto Christ; Not with eye-service as men-pleasers; but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart."¹

Craig Saunders wrote about an experience he witnessed when he attended a Special Olympics for the Handicapped where several people from his church were competing. He shared how in the 220 track race a very fast runner, named Andrew, was 50 yards ahead of the rest of the runners when he glanced back and saw his best friend fall. The crowd at the finishing post was yelling to Andrew, "Come on, come on, come on!"

But Andrew stopped and went back and took his friend's hand and lifted him to his feet and they ran together to finish the race.

The entire crowd stood to their feet and applauded. As Saunders said, "It was an amazing sight because that's what the Special Olympics are about. People don't consider being 'Number One.' The most important thing is that people finish the race."

Andrew won the Sportsman Award at those Special Olympics because he was more concerned about being "Number One" to his friend than being "Number One" to the crowd. What a beautiful lesson to learn. Can you imagine how different churches, and life in general, would be if we all thought of others above ourselves?

Suggested prayer: Dear God, help my thoughts and actions be always to please You and be present for my friends and those around me. Help my goal go beyond simply wanting applauds from the crowd, but be focused on bringing glory to you through the way I love my neighbor. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus' name, amen.

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