You shall not see your brother’s ox or his sheep going astray and ignore them. You shall take them back to your brother. And if he does not live near you and you do not know who he is, you shall bring it home to your house, and it shall stay with you until your brother seeks it. Then you shall restore it to him.
Deuteronomy 22:1-2
Father God, grant me a sensitive spirit that sees the areas where my brother or my sister is going astray or suffering loss and grant me a heart of compassion, one that is willing to go out of my way or be inconvenienced to be of service to them.
In a world where everyone’s mindset is around what’s in it for me, You have called Your children to put others first (Philippians 2:3). I confess it is not easy. I often want to have things my way. Yet, the way of my Savior was one of sacrifice. He gave His life for me before I even knew Him or cared about what was important to Him. Because He loved He gave. And I should do likewise for my brothers and sisters.
Grant me not only the resolve but also the selfless courage to do just that – put others before me. Show me my selfish ways and prick my conscience to do better, be better. Don’t let me turn a blind eye to their loss. Instead, reveal to me their needs and use me to bless them, restoring wholeness to their lives. Don’t let me rest until I bless for I know that I am where I am because You sent others to help make me whole in the midst of my loss. Help me to do the same, paying it forward in love to Your glory. Amen.