If you’re like me, you’ve seen more than your fair share of social media posts and statements about what people plan to do more or less in 2016. One of the posts that stood out to me from among the norm was: “Promote what you love instead of bashing what you hate.” Disrespecting each other on the daily in media and real life, taking large strides away from the relationship we all truly desire in our lives.
Spark positive conversation about men and about women
This year, we have the ability to make change within ourselves and in those around us with our words, images, and actions. Brothers and sisters, we have to take charge of the situation and here are a few points how:
1. Stop Complaining
“If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other,” Paul warns in Galatians 5:15. Complaining will get us nowhere in 2016! If we want to use that energy to create positive change in how we see each other, we have to stop speaking—and posting—badly about one another.
Some of those memes on social media are not helping (you know what I’m talking about); they’re belittling for the sake of a quick laugh. If you want to post something online, post a compliment or meme about men or a compliment about women and see what happens. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says to “encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” Spark positive conversation about men and about women; create something worth sharing.
2. Keep Praying
Pray a small or big prayer during the day and ask God to cover the minds and hearts of men, our brothers, our singles, the spouses, future spouses, and parents. We have to get in our word and get an understanding of God’s will for men and women then pray that it comes to pass in this generation and the next.
Singles, don’t just pray for men and women who you know, but pray for all those you see or come across during the day. A prayer can go a long way and even spare someone’s life, so don’t think it won’t do anything. “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints,” says Ephesians 6:18.
3. Continue Serving
I mean to start serving, as in not forgetting to represent Christ in how you interact with the opposite sex. Men, we still need you to open the doors for women out of respect. Sure we women could get them ourselves, but we need you to fulfill your position by providing a protection in this aspect. This simple act of service is respectable and easy to do. “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ,” reads in Ephesians 5:21.
It’s humbling because you may not get a thank you, but it’s the heart of Christ that you are after, so hold the door, pull the chair, take the coat, etc. out of service to the ladies. There are so many other ways that men and women can respect each other through service and Godly love. Don’t get weary in well doing, but be led by the Holy Spirit in your actions, without thinking of what you will get in return.
Women, don’t get so proud that you can’t say “thank you” when a man does these things for you. You are to carry yourself as a virtuous woman who deserves to have doors held open for her, so hold it open for your sisters too. Serve one another in love through a smile, a hello or greeting; it goes a long way. “Serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’” as stated in Galatians 5:13b-14.
My prayer this year is that intercession will increase on the state of men and women on what they are dealing with. We need each other and it changes for the better when we decide to promote and encourage what we want to see in one another. “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices in it” (1 Corinthians 12:26).
Hey BMWK fam, how will you encourage your fellow single brothers and sisters this year?
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