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Yesterday we pondered on that elusive virtue of humility. Have you ever met anyone who you consider to be truly humble? Whenever I meet someone who is graced with that wonderful virtue, it’s like being in the presence of a magnet: I want to be like that. I think I’m in good company: the Desert Fathers of the early centuries of the church seemed to have that impact on people – they drew people to them quite spontaneously by their way of life. We can also say that Jesus had the same effect of producing curiosity in the people he encountered, a curiosity that led his disciples to follow him.
St Paul, in his first letter to the Thessalonians, wrote these words: ‘you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers’ (1 Thessalonians 1.6–7). I think those words wonderfully illustrate that magnetic quality. Paul imitated Jesus in his life. The Thessalonians observed Paul’s way of life when he lived among them, and modelled their own lives on Paul’s example and thus on the example of Jesus.
When the Holy Spirit is added to the mix, there is a wonderful infusion of joy, one of the Spirit’s magnificent gifts, to produce the end result of a shining example that attracts people to it like a magnet.
This reflection was written by Stuart Ford, from Bible Society's Supporter Relations team.
If you have two minutes: Listen to the audio reflection and ponder how it might be relevant in your life.
If you have up to ten minutes: Read the Bible passage and listen to the audio reflection; you might want to keep a small journal, or note on your phone, to jot down words and phrases that jump out at you. Finish with a brief prayer to put what you have read and heard into practice.
What if I miss a day(s)?: Don’t worry, life happens! Just pick up the devotional again on the current day, and, if you wish, you can use the space for reflection on Sundays to listen to those reflections you may have missed.
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