On Appreciation // 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13

Voltaire once wrote, “Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.” Pretty cool, huh? Who is it you appreciate today? Does someone’s face pop into your mind?

Today’s passage from 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 speaks to the power of appreciation for spiritual mentors and leaders…those people who help you experience the light and love of God in Christ Jesus. The Apostle Paul wants us all to hold in high esteem those who help us experience God. I gotta say that a smirk makes it’s way onto my face when he followed that up with a statement about living together in peace. It’s harder than it looks, isn’t it?

Therein lies the point. One of the most impactful things we can show to the world is unity. People looking for hope need to see the church united in love for each other and ministry to the world. This doesn’t mean we are to be carbon copies of one another, but it does mean we must seek to be like Jesus…even and especially, when we might be inclined to disagree. When we approach our common tasks together with the love of God, then we see the excellence in other — the same that is available to you and me, too — is none other than God!

I appreciate God’s presence and power in you and pray you appreciate the same in me. May that glimpse of excellence inspire us to do even more, knowing that whatever we do for even the least of people in the world, we are doing it for Jesus (Matthew 25:40)!