Standing On A Threshold

From My Perspective - - -

All of us come to threshold decisions in our lives. Mentally – one can anguish over what is the right and best decision to choose, or the best investment to make, or the best time to make a purchase, or the best time to enter matrimony. The list could easily be elongated but the idea is clearly that the moments when decisions must be made are not the most easy for anyone.

The writings of John Maxwell are always poignant and practical. He shares in his November 14, 2010 Post that that when he wrote a book on Ethics 101, he arrived at a conclusion that basic to everything else one experiences in life is the desire of all to see The Golden Rule implemented in their behalf. His thesis became: “How Do We Like To Be Treated?” He listed six areas of significance for an individual -

1. We want to be valued. 70% of those who leave their jobs do so because they do not feel valued?
2. We want to be appreciated. Closely related to the need to be valued and loved is the desire to be appreciated for what we can do. How do we express appreciation?
3. We want to be trusted. Good marriages, business relationships, and friendships all require trust. Without it, you don’t have open and honest communication, and the relationship can be only temporary.
4. We want to be respected. When others respect me, it touches something deeper within me. It gives me dignity and builds my confidence.
5. We want to be understood. We can know a lot about a person and still not really understand them or why they do what they do. The desire to be understood is so strong that many disagreements can be resolved simply when one party (or both) gets the sense that they’ve been understood. Understanding others means extending yourself and meeting them where they are. You must put the burden of connecting on yourself, not on them.
6. We don’t want others to take advantage of us. We can cut through almost all of the ethical and moral dilemmas of life by observing this principle with others. If anyone could interpret what I do as taking advantage of them, then my actions are probably a bad idea.

Here’s our threshold decision and opportunity. Think of how much better interpersonal relationships would be if these six areas began to be implemented and practiced by all of us.

There is a meaningful passage in Ephesians 5:15-21 that can enable us to cross this threshold with joyous anticipation of how we will be enabled to continue in and with beneficial inter-personal relationships. Read Paul’s words thoughtfully: “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And…be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.” There’s the threshold and there’s our potential. The key phrases for this consideration are: “Look carefully then how you walk…” and “…understand what the will of the Lord is…”

The positive approach to life and practice are seen in the phrases: “…addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart…” and “…giving thanks always and for everything to God…” and “…submitting to one another…” If we approach life with a Biblical song in our hearts, and if we can remember the faithfulness of God so that we give thanks always and for everything, then it would be very difficult to be a person who whines and complains and gripes regarding the least inconvenience or difficulty. It’s always timely to meditate and reflect on Scriptural truths, such as, “our God is able, and He will…, or “…He who is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine…” or “…I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord – plans for your good…” or “…as your days, so shall your strength be… It’s positive and possible! Try it! Consider these things with me!