Listen

Treat people in the same way that you want them to treat you.

Luke 6:31

Think

This verse is known by many people as the “golden rule.”

Interestingly, in many world religions, we can find similar values. In Judaism it is said that what is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. In the Muslim religion it is said that a person is not a believer until he wishes for another person what he wishes for himself. Buddhism says not to harm another person in ways that we think might harm us. And Christianity says, “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.”

It certainly emphasizes the importance of empathy and mutual respect in our relationships and exhorts us to treat other people as we would like to be treated, but as we listen to the verse in connection with those we read above, we realize that there is more to it. It is not just that we treat people as we would like to be treated. It is that we seek the well-being of everyone, no matter how they treat us. The measure is not our treatment. The measure is God’s treatment.

Marissa Galván-Valle

Question to Ponder:

How can I show the same compassion and love that God has shown to me, especially to those who treat me in a way I don’t like?

Pray

Gracious God, you love me in ways that are hard for me to understand. You love me beyond what I do or what I say. You accept me without condition, and your forgiveness for me is always available. Help me to be like you by…

In the name of Jesus, who was like you. Amen.

Go

Always return to your point of origin: God. Inhale for a count of four. Hold that air inside your being for four seconds. Exhale for a count of four. Every time you breathe, remember that God is in every breath.