by Charles R. Swindoll
Our world has become a large, impersonal, busy institution.
We are alienated from each other. Although crowded, we are
lonely. Pushed together but uninvolved. No longer do most neighbors visit
across the backyard fence. The well-manicured front lawn is the modern moat
that keeps barbarians at bay. Hoarding and flaunting have replaced sharing and
caring. It's like we are occupying common space but have no common interests,
as if we're on an elevator with rules such as: "No talking, smiling, or
eye contact allowed without written consent of the management."
Painful though it may be for us to admit, we're losing touch
with one another. The motivation to help, to encourage, yes, to serve our
fellow human beings is waning. People have even observed crimes in progress but
refused to help so as not to be involved! Our foundational values are getting
lost in these confusing days. And yet, it is these things that form the
essentials of a happy and fulfilled life.
Remember that grand declaration of biblical assurance etched in
the rocklike truth of Romans 8? I'm referring to verses 28–29, which
read:
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good
to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For
those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of
His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren.
Maybe you've never before stopped to consider that God is
committed to one major objective in the lives of all His
people: to conform us to "the image of His Son."
Excerpted from Improving Your Serve: The Art of Unselfish Living,
Copyright © 1981 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. (Thomas Nelson Publishers). All
rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission.
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