Be yourself and serve

Ever seen those videos with a 'cringe' factor? Someone trips up in front of their crush or calls their teacher 'mum' in front of the whole class. No one wants to be a laughingstock in front of people - so we cover up with armour to keep ourselves protected from potential cringe. Do this enough, though, and we end up hiding who we really are and stop being vulnerable to those we want to love. If we want to truly love people, we must be open about ourselves.

Jesus dived right into potential cringe moments. He never hid his love for someone because he feared others' scorn (check out John 4:1-42). Every time he was 'moved with compassion' (Matthew 9:36 NKJV), he gave in to the impulse to serve - with no regard for what people would say about it. And he never scorned people for their weaknesses - which meant people were free to be vulnerable around him.

Let's stop being affected by how people may see us and focus on being ourselves and loving well.



So what now? Each time you do something that's embarrassing, write it down. You'll find that most of the things that happened aren't as 'cringey' as you thought. Next, write down opportunities you had to show love, whether you took them or not. It's about changing your focus.





— SCRIPTURE —

'Serve one another humbly in love.' Galatians 5:13 NIV
— SOULFOOD —

Josh 1:7-8, 2 Tim 3:14-17, Ps 119:1-16