TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL PASSAGE
For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
Romans 1:21–23
DEVOTIONAL
by Elder Chris Beltran
Here are three negative effects that arise from unresponsiveness:
It makes the person feel unappreciated. When someone doesn’t get a response back, the person thinks that they aren’t important enough to you. They wonder what they even did wrong or why you don’t consider them good enough to respond.
It makes a person feel unloved. Whether you like it or not, unresponsiveness can be translated into family, office, or church care and concern. If we don’t respond, we must not care for them very much.
It makes a person mistrust you and your organization. People will tolerate unresponsiveness a few times. But if done regularly and carelessly, leaders lose credibility and are seen as hypocrites, unprofessional, and not caring enough. Doubts will come in, and your integrity will be questioned.
When Jesus told his disciples to set sail for Gadara, he knew someone there needed his attention. True enough, when they arrived, a mad crazy person ran towards them, possessed by a legion of demons. Jesus responded to man’s need to be set free from his lids and chains. And because of that encounter, that man was transformed into the first ever recorded missionary sent by Christ. He proclaimed the good news in the Decapolis.
The bottom line is that being responsive is part of the fruit of the spirit, under love, kindness, and goodness. Let us all learn to love, be kind, and good by not neglecting to respond and appreciate.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, we come before You, acknowledging Your greatness and love. We seek Your forgiveness for times we may have fallen short in responding, appreciating, and showing love to others. Guide us to be more responsive, appreciative, and loving, reflecting Your character. May our actions demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit. Use us as instruments of Your grace and transformation. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
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