"Message for Fathers: Associate with the Lowly"
Dear Friend, during Memorial Day weekend this year, we released our latest novel, Hidden Humanity. I hope you've enjoyed it! Father's Day has also come and gone, but our appreciation for our fathers hasn't passed. I'd like to share some biblical advice my father gave me when I was a young believer seeking direction. Maybe it will encourage you or someone you know. (A father in your life might still enjoy an ebook or paperback of my Collection of Father's Day Short Stories here.)
Associate with the Lowly
A few years after I came to Christ, I was faced with some upheaval in my social life. I wasn't sure where I fit in even though I knew I was now a Christian. Perhaps I was still adjusting to the realization that my old associations were gone and God intended for me to live a new way with new interests. I certainly didn't yet know that God would call me into ministry.
One day, I asked my father, "What should I do with my life now?" He thought for a moment, and then said, "Associate with the lowly." He expounded a little more about doing as Christ did, but those are the words I remember the most, because they were straight from Romans 12:16.
Over the years, I've found the wisdom and value of those four words: "Associate with the lowly."
Here's what I've learned:
1. Be willing to lose your reputation.
- A young man, even a young believer, may struggle with how the world views him. This can be especially challenging in a cruel world and harsh environment. Associating with the lowly means that one's reputation is abandoned for those whom society may view as unpopular.
- Associating with the lowly demands that we abandon ourselves so that those who are not honored receive honor. Paul said this is especially important in the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:23).
2. We are all lowly.
- When we associate with the lowly, we learn that we are all lowly. Those who are popular for a season or wealthy while their money lasts—their greatness is a delusion. All of us are just lowly men in God's eyes. Men will always go further the sooner they realize their smallness.
- A young man may think that giving himself for the sake of others may change who he is. But that's just his pride talking. I've learned that Jesus associated with the lowly and eventually gave Himself for the sake of others because it couldn't change who He was. Associating with the lowly doesn't change who a young man is except it does make him more Christ-like.
3. Be someone's best friend.
- I remember taking time out of my day to visit with a man who had very little. We shared a few meals over a couple of months, and had some laughs about our very different pasts. We talked about Christ and I helped him write some letters to reconcile with his family. In my birthday card he wrote, "The best friend a guy could have."
- I was astounded that he thought of me as his best friend. It was then that I realized he thought more of my time spent with him than I had thought of that time. I could no longer think lightly of time spent with others since I realized now that it mattered so much to them.
- Another man I knew was deaf. I saw him begging for food more than once. It took me some effort to connect with him because he couldn't communicate well. Finally, we shared a meal and talked about the gospel by way of my stunted sign language (I know only the alphabet).
- Later that day, he told me he'd been really depressed and about to lose his mind because no one had spoken to him for several days. Imagine being surrounded by people—yet being ignored. He's a professing believer now.
- Both of these men helped me understand the value of giving up my time for those who may not be able to give anything back. When we're not out for ourselves, we can give our whole selves. By giving ourselves, we share with others something of what Christ gave for them as well.
My father probably doesn't remember when he told me to associate with the lowly, but if my eyes would have been opened during my youth, I should have noticed that that's how he lived his life: associating with the lowly. He cared for anyone in the neighborhood and didn't care what it cost him.
I hope my father's advice encourages you along your own path.
See you on the next page!
David Telbat
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NOTE: Thank you so much, readers, who left your reviews for Hidden Humanity! That helps a lot!
COMING UP: Join us next time for another of David's short stories, "We're Nearly There."
If you missed our last newsletter, you can read it here.
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