Weekday Devotionals - Raquel
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
Colossians 3:12-14
When I think of the word culture, my mind pictures far off, rural environments. For example, I imagine a small town with a dirt road with people dressed in colorful handmade clothing. Lots of fruits and vegetables, and unique jewelry, handbags, and shoes line the streets as little markets sell the produce they grew on their personal farms. I see smiling faces and a lot of passion and vibrancy. This movie I’ve created in my head makes me feel something. I can’t quite find the words for the feelings, but it’s different and it stands out.
The word “culture” is defined as the intangible feel of a family, environment or an organization. It is a combination of what we create and what we allow. Culture doesn’t exist only in far-off distant places. It’s also in our workplaces, at businesses, within our families and friendships, at our churches, and so on.
A classic example is comparing the culture of Publix and Walmart. To date, I’m the only Walmart fan I’ve met, and I go there 3 days a week so this isn’t hate on Walmart. But there’s a reason they say, “where shopping is a pleasure,” at Publix. Everything you experience when you walk into Publix is contrary to what the experience at Walmart. They have different cultures. From the lighting, sounds, smells, pace, and interactions with people, down to even the shopping carts! It’s like finding buried treasure when I find a cart at Walmart that rolls straight! Publix has done an excellent job at creating an environment that is overall more enjoyable to experience.
As followers of Christ, we are called to create or influence a culture of the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-2) Easier said than done because people are difficult, and life is hard! Although it’s difficult, it is not impossible with God’s own Spirit leading us. We are ambassadors of Christ and everything He embodies. When we are at work, at church, at home, with our friends and family, when we’re interacting with our server at dinner, and even when someone is spewing hatred in our faces. No matter your gender, Christ has entrusted all of us to be the ones that impact our culture for the better.
As you go about the next few days, examine the culture in various places you find yourself. Does the culture reflect the fruits of the Spirit? If not, in what ways can you be a spiritual leader and influence the environment where God has placed you?
-Raquel
Colossians 3:12-14
When I think of the word culture, my mind pictures far off, rural environments. For example, I imagine a small town with a dirt road with people dressed in colorful handmade clothing. Lots of fruits and vegetables, and unique jewelry, handbags, and shoes line the streets as little markets sell the produce they grew on their personal farms. I see smiling faces and a lot of passion and vibrancy. This movie I’ve created in my head makes me feel something. I can’t quite find the words for the feelings, but it’s different and it stands out.
The word “culture” is defined as the intangible feel of a family, environment or an organization. It is a combination of what we create and what we allow. Culture doesn’t exist only in far-off distant places. It’s also in our workplaces, at businesses, within our families and friendships, at our churches, and so on.
A classic example is comparing the culture of Publix and Walmart. To date, I’m the only Walmart fan I’ve met, and I go there 3 days a week so this isn’t hate on Walmart. But there’s a reason they say, “where shopping is a pleasure,” at Publix. Everything you experience when you walk into Publix is contrary to what the experience at Walmart. They have different cultures. From the lighting, sounds, smells, pace, and interactions with people, down to even the shopping carts! It’s like finding buried treasure when I find a cart at Walmart that rolls straight! Publix has done an excellent job at creating an environment that is overall more enjoyable to experience.
As followers of Christ, we are called to create or influence a culture of the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-2) Easier said than done because people are difficult, and life is hard! Although it’s difficult, it is not impossible with God’s own Spirit leading us. We are ambassadors of Christ and everything He embodies. When we are at work, at church, at home, with our friends and family, when we’re interacting with our server at dinner, and even when someone is spewing hatred in our faces. No matter your gender, Christ has entrusted all of us to be the ones that impact our culture for the better.
As you go about the next few days, examine the culture in various places you find yourself. Does the culture reflect the fruits of the Spirit? If not, in what ways can you be a spiritual leader and influence the environment where God has placed you?
-Raquel
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