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Day 1349 – Showing Faith through Actions – Meditation Monday

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Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 1349 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Showing Faith Through Actions – Meditation Monday

Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek! Where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.

Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is Day 1349 of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday. Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy.

For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life, meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and praying. It is a time to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you, too, will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.

 Let me ask you. What is more critical faith or actions? Let us meditate on…

Showing Faith through Actions

The answer to the question above may be obvious, and is a rhetorical question because according to God’s Word, we cannot correctly have one without the other. We read in James 2:14-20:

What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?

So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.

Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”

You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?

Especially in the world today, but also every day, we have the opportunity to show others our faith in Christ through our actions. To share God’s love with others through tangible acts of worship will be a catalyst to share God’s love through His Word. Our mission as Christ-followers is to build God’s Kingdom on earth, as it is in heaven. The last part of Galatians 5:6 sums it up, “What is important is faith expressing itself in love.”

Think about it…As believers, we have an opportunity to unite together worldwide and tangibly show God’s love to those who need His love desperately. In doing so, we will fulfill all that is written in the law and through the prophets.

Matthew 22:37-40 says, “Jesus replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

God’s Holy Spirit indwells each of us. He comforts us. He teaches us. Above all He points us to Christ as our example for living. The Spirit empowers us to live in obedience honoring God as His image-bearers. This selfless life of love is impossible apart from him.

Every day, but especially during times of crisis, let us show our faith by our actions. Let us first serve those who are vulnerable and need our assistance most. As James teaches us in James 1:27, “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.”

It is so easy to get distracted and focus on ourselves and lesser things. What matters most, though, is faith working through love. That should be our objective. Let us meditate on this today, then take action.

That is a wrap for today’s meditation. Next week we will continue our trek on Meditation Monday as we take time to reflect on what is most important in creating our living legacy. On tomorrow’s trek, we will explore another wisdom quote. This 3-minute wisdom supplement will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise each day.

Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. Encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

If you would like to listen to any of the past 1348 daily treks or read the daily journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so that each day will be downloaded to you automatically.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly, your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

  1. Live Abundantly (Fully)
  2. Love Unconditionally
  3. Listen Intentionally
  4. Learn Continuously
  5. Lend to others Generously
  6. Lead with Integrity
  7. Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow!

Day 1343 – Fear or Faith – Ask Gramps

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Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 1343 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Fear or Faith – Ask Gramps

Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.

Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is Day 1343 of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series.

Each Friday, we ponder some of the fundamental truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy. As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.”

Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason, this is not possible. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask Dad or Gramps questions about life in many areas.

We may mix it up a bit on our Friday episodes, but we will strive to keep them down to earth and enjoyable. If you have any questions that you would like to ask Gramps, please email them to guthrie@wisdom-trek.com.

So the question for this week is…

“Hey Gramps, it seems like so many people become fearful and panic over everything these days, even those things that we have little or no control over. From my observation, it appears to be true for those who are Christ-followers, and those who are not. How can I prevent myself from falling into the same trap, and also then also help others not to be fearful?”

Fear or Faith

Let me ask you a question before we explore how to live without fear. What’s your worst fear? What is it that keeps you awake at night? It seems like these days there are plenty of things to choose from. It could be the most recent global pandemic or other illnesses that seem to come to our attention, only to pass and quickly leave our minds. Here in the United States, as with most western countries that have open elections, we become panicked over the upcoming presidential elections. In our minds, regardless of which side we are on, we just know if our candidate doesn’t win, everything is going to fall apart.

For many others, the horror of the day is the economy. Banks failing, stocks falling around the world, taxpayer money going to save financial institutions, and huge corporations who seem to be pulling the political purse strings. With the proliferation of social media and the constant 24/7 talking heads on our news stations, we are lead to believe that the news seems to get bleaker by the day.

Many others are still picking up the pieces from recent natural disasters. We’ve had hurricanes, wildfires, floods, earthquakes, and hosts of other catastrophes. For a lot of people, tomorrow isn’t their problem; they don’t know how to get through today.

Many of us, though, have found fear in our own personal terrors. Health issues. Death of a loved one. Relationship trouble. Addictions. Legal problems. Financial ruin. Crises don’t have to appear on the national news to have a significant impact on our lives. Some of these problems are self-inflicted; others come to us through no fault of our own.

So, let me ask you again, what’s your worst fear? What robs you of peace? What clouds your view of the horizon? Whatever it is, wouldn’t it be nice to get rid of it? Wouldn’t it be nice to help others overcome their fears also? Maybe I can’t fix all of your problems or rid you of all your worries, but I can tell you how to recover your peace and perhaps even get to where you can sleep at night. When I need guidance for the myriad of challenges that I face, I look for wise advice, which you can find in God’s Word.

Jesus Christ is the master teacher and this is what he has to say about worry. Let me read Luke 12:22-32.

Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?”

“Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?”

“And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.”

“So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.”

We need to understand that there are very few issues and fears in life that we have control over. If we cannot control it, then we should not be fearful of it. If you do have some control over an issue, do what you can, but then allow God to handle the outcome.

Another sage teacher, the Apostle Paul, wrote many years ago in Philippians 4:6-7, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

“Sure,” you say. “Easy for this guy Paul. He wasn’t facing what I’m facing.” While that’s probably true, Paul certainly was not living the life of ease when he wrote those words. He was in chains in a Roman jail cell. He wasn’t serving out a sentence; he was awaiting a probable execution.

So listen to the words of Jesus and Paul. They both knew how to face fear. As Paul said, “Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.” Just as I am sharing today, you can also help others in the same manner. Teach others to take all of those problems, bundle them up, and give them to God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. The antidote to fear and worry is always faith that God is in control. Do what you can, leave the rest to God.

That is a wrap for today’s question. Join us again next Friday for another question on our Ask Gramps episode. Our next trek is Mediation Monday, where we will help you reflect on what is most important in life. So encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along on Monday for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

If you would like to listen to any of the past 1342 daily treks or read the associated journals, they are all available at Wisdom-Trek.com. I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so that each day will be downloaded to you automatically.

Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and, most of all, your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

  1. Live Abundantly (Fully)
  2. Love Unconditionally
  3. Listen Intentionally
  4. Learn Continuously
  5. Lend to others Generously
  6. Lead with Integrity
  7. Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you on Monday!

Day 1333 – Overcoming Being a Coward – Ask Gramps

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Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 1333 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Overcoming Being A Coward – Ask Gramps

Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek! Where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase Wisdom and Create a Living Legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is Day 1333 of our Trek and time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday, we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life, and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy. As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time where we can ‘Ask Gramps.’  Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason, this is not possible. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask dad or gramps questions about life in many areas.

We may mix it up a bit on our Friday episodes, but will strive to keep them down to earth and enjoyable.  If you have any questions that you would like to ask Gramps, please email them to guthrie@wisdom-trek.com

So the question for this week is:

“Hey Gramps, there are times when I feel like a coward. I don’t stand up for what I feel is important even when it comes to defending my faith. Do you have tips that can help me gain courage? 

Overcoming Being a Coward

For most people, they struggle with fear, self-doubt, and a lack of faith that God has everything under control. Even Joshua, who was Moses’s understudy for nearly 40 years, needed God’s encouragement before taking over as the leader of the nation of Israel. Joshua 1:6-9 “Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Let me tell you about another story. John Callender was a young officer under George Washington in the Revolutionary War. He failed miserably during the Battle of Bunker Hill and was dismissed from the army for behaving as a coward. On his papers, Gen. Washington wrote this: “Cowardice a crime, of all others the most injurious, and the last to be forgiven.“

To his credit, Callender allowed his shame and embarrassment to move him to try to make up for what he had done and to redeem his good name. He didn’t join the Redcoats. He didn’t commit suicide. Instead, he re-enlisted as a private and behaved with such obvious courage at the Battle of Long Island that Washington revoked his earlier sentence and reinstated him as a captain.

The story of John Callender has a lesson in it for all of us. Nobody goes through life without episodes of weakness, failure, and humiliation. Those with the courage to begin again are people to be respected.It isn’t easy, to be honest with oneself about failure and sin. The tendency is to be defensive and proud. Scripture holds that such a spirit hinders forgiveness in James 4:6-10: And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say,

“God opposes the proud

but gives grace to the humble.”

So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy.  Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.

 In other words, “It isn’t easy, to be honest with oneself about failure and sin.”

In spite of the difficulty in starting again from scratch, there is even a way to learn from past failures and to achieve successes that might have been impossible otherwise. This time you know the things to avoid, the dangerous temptations that can turn you back from your goal, and the frailties within your own personality. Having failed and knowing what contributed to your failure, you can take steps that make success far more likely in the new effort.Few have ever failed Jesus more miserably than Peter. He was a chosen apostle, a special friend to the Lord, and a leader among his peers. He promised the Lord that he would be faithful even if all the others turned away. Yet, Peter fled when Jesus was arrested and denied him three times in the high priest’s courtyard. When Jesus later gave Peter the chance to begin again, he took it and made the best of it. This story of redemption and restoration can be found in, John 21:15-23. Let me share that story with you.

After breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”

“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.

Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.”

“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.

A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.

 “I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.”

Peter turned around and saw behind them the disciple Jesus loved—the one who had leaned over to Jesus during supper and asked, “Lord, who will betray you?” Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?”

Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.” So the rumor spread among the community of believers that this disciple wouldn’t die. But that isn’t what Jesus said at all. He only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”

 

Look at your situation. Are you any worse off than Peter? If you are grieving, your failure, sin, and confusion, have the courage to throw yourself on God’s mercy and to ask his help to begin again.

That is a wrap for today’s question. Join us again next Friday for another question on our ‘Ask Gramps’ episode. Our next trek is Mediation Monday, where we will help you reflect on what is most important in life. So encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along on Monday for another day of ‘Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.’If you would like to listen to any of the past 1332 daily treks or read the associated journals, they are all available at Wisdom-Trek.com. I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player, so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and, most of all, your friend as I serve you in through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this Trek of life together, let us always:

  1. Live Abundantly (Fully)
  2. Love Unconditionally
  3. Listen Intentionally
  4. Learn Continuously
  5. Lend to others Generously
  6. Lead with Integrity
  7. Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain….reminding you to ’Keep Moving Forward,’ ‘Enjoy your Journey,’ and ‘Create a Great Day…Everyday’! See you on Monday!

Day 1330 – The Bliss of Suffering – Wisdom Unplugged

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Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 1330 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

The Bliss of Suffering – Wisdom Unplugged

Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek! Where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase Wisdom and Create a Living Legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is Day 1330 of our Trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget:

Today’s quote is from  Leo Tolstoy, and it is:   A person who lives a spiritual life cannot help but see that suffering brings him closer to God. Seen in this light, suffering loses its bitter side and becomes bliss.

The Bliss of Suffering

First, at least as believers, we must realize that all life is spiritual life. There is no sacred and secular life, as if they were diametrically opposed. There is one life that we live which is a spiritual life. We, as humans, are created to be imagers of God in all that we do. We do have free will to choose. We can choose to be thankful for every circumstance of life, even when it entails suffering.  One of the purposes of suffering and hardship in life is to purify us and bring us closer to God who created us. Because of this, our perspective of hardships and suffering will change from one of discouragement, to one of bliss and thankfulness. If suffering and hardships refine us to be a better imager of God, to build His kingdom, and to bring honor and glory to His name, then we should be blissful for being chosen for such a privileged task.One who would understand and be able to empathize with us, was also a leader in the 1st-century church. He happened to be Jesus’s brother and knew Jesus from childhood. James did not believe in Jesus until after His death, burial, and resurrection, but he wrote a letter to the early church about this subject. James 1:2-4 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

So I also encourage you…consider it an opportunity for great joy, which is bliss.

That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 11,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of Wisdom-Trek.com. Just as you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of ‘Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.’ If you would like to listen to any of our past 1329 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly, I am your friend as I serve you in through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this Trek of life together, let us always:

  1. Live Abundantly (Fully)
  2. Love Unconditionally
  3. Listen Intentionally
  4. Learn Continuously
  5. Lend to others Generously
  6. Lead with Integrity
  7. Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain….reminding you to ’Keep Moving Forward,’ ‘Enjoy your Journey,’ and ‘Create a Great Day…Everyday’! See you tomorrow for Worldview Wednesday!

Day 1294 – Bearers of God’s Image – Meditation Monday

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Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 1294 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Bearers of God’s Image – Meditation Monday

Meditation Monday

Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek! Where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase Wisdom and Create a Living Legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is Day 1294 of our Trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday. Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy. For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life, meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and in prayer. It is a time to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and making sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you, too, will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind. 

In our meditation today, let us consider:

Bearers of God’s Image

Genesis 1:26-27 Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth,and the small animals that scurry along the ground.”

So God created human beings in his own image.

In the image of God he created them;

male and female he created them.

It is so easy to allow the world to slip by as I attend to what I deem my very important tasks. Every day we pass by those who are less fortunate and down-trodden. We forget how simple it is to stop and look a person in the eye and recognize them as significant because they are also bearers of God’s image. It costs me so little to do so. What right do I have to devalue someone whom the Creator has deemed as valuable?

Mother Teresa saw Jesus in the poorest of the poor. When she picked up a person on the street, she was picking up Jesus. When she fed a person, she was feeding Jesus. When she bound the wounds of a leper, she was tending to Jesus. When they opened a Sisters of Charity House in the states for the first time, she said that the poverty of the wealthy nations was different from that of the third world countries. She said the greatest poverty in those nations is loneliness.

People are forgotten and dismissed. They are invisible. Jesus, however, seemed to see this type of person more than most. He served people at every level of socioeconomic status, yet he spent most of his time with the marginalized. His interactions had a common pattern. He looked at the person, touched them, and spoke to them. He recognized the value each person has before God.

We may not all have the opportunity to befriend the marginalized in the manner of Mother Teresa. However, we must come to terms with our compassion for others being part of the work of God in this hurting world.In what way can we join in?

Giving financially is one way, of course. There are many organizations that need our help as they work on the front lines with people in need.

Another way is to open our eyes to those who are “invisible” in our context. There are so many! This personal contact is a way that we can join this work of God in a more direct manner. We can find a myriad of other ways to connect to the invisible, left out, and forgotten.

Ask yourself, do I know the name of the person from whom where I shop for my daily needs. Have I asked about them and their family? When I am waiting for the check after meal out, is there an opportunity to bless the frazzled waitstaff?

How well do I know my fellow work associates, or even those who I worship with? Can I thank the person I see week after week caring for the grounds at my work or home? They are so often ignored and unseen.

When I am able to see these people through the eyes of my heart, I see them in a different way. I recognize that God has brought them into my path for a reason, to have the opportunity to be God’s touch of love to them.This way of seeing the invisible is something my parents modeled, especially my mom. She seemed to seek out those who were struggling, and although we were poor, she made a point of helping them in some manner. It was later that I recognized the gift she was giving me the opportunity to learn to recognize the value of each person.

Herein is the true blessing: When we get to see that each of us, and all of us, are children of the King of glory. We are bearers of God’s image. It is not that we reach down to the lowly and bestow them with the magnificent gift of our acknowledgment. No! It’s that our eyes are opened to the immense family of which we are each a valuable part. We encounter Christ, whether checkout person at Walmart, or the janitor at the office or school. When they encounter us, do they encounter Christ in us? The opportunity to “see” another in all her or his brokenness and beauty, alongside our own. The image of God showing through us.

Meditate on how Jesus treated those who were society outcast in Mark 1:40-41 A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,” he said. Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!”

That is a wrap for today’s meditation, next week, we will continue our trek on Meditation Monday as we take time to reflect on what is most important in creating our living legacy. On tomorrow’s trek, we will explore another wisdom quote. This 3-minute wisdom supplement will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise each day. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. Encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of ‘Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.’  If you would like to listen to any of the past 1293 daily treks or read the daily journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player, so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly, I am your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this Trek of life together, let us always:

  1. Live Abundantly (Fully)
  2. Love Unconditionally
  3. Listen Intentionally
  4. Learn Continuously
  5. Lend to others Generously
  6. Lead with Integrity
  7. Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain….reminding you to ’Keep Moving Forward,’ ‘Enjoy your Journey,’ and ‘Create a Great Day…Everyday’! See you tomorrow!