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Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another . . ~Romans 12:10 American lecturer Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "There is no limit to what can be accomplished if it doesn’t matter who gets the credit." Few people are aware of the crucial role that Edmond Halley played in bringing Isaac Newton's work to the world's attention. Many people are familiar with the story of Isaac Newton's iconic moment with a falling apple, where he introduced the law of universal gravitation and transformed the field of astronomy. Halley was the individual "behind the scenes" who encouraged Newton to develop his original theories; he corrected Newton's mathematical errors and devised geometric shapes to validate his findings. He convinced a hesitant Newton to write his seminal work, The Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy, and managed its publication and funding, despite Newton’s wealth. Historians regard Halley's support of Newton as an exceptionally selfless act in the scientific community. Although Newton quickly gained recognition for his achievements, Halley received little credit. He did, however, apply Newton's principles to predict the orbit and return of a comet that would later be named after him. Yet, since Halley’s Comet surfaces only every seventy-six years, his name remains relatively unknown to many. Nonetheless, Halley was unconcerned about receiving recognition as long as scientific progress was being made. He epitomized the essence of living by the biblical admonition: Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another. (Romans 12:10). When presented with an opportunity to prioritize the welfare of others over oneself, we ought to seize it and make the most of it.
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"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels [tenderhearted] of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering." ~ Colossians 3:12 John Gray authored the highly popular book, Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus. His main argument is that to have a harmonious relationship with someone, it is crucial to attempt to understand life from their point of view. The apostle Paul addressed this challenging task as he writes in Colossians 3:12-15, Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, . . . In this text, Paul is emphasizing the importance of love in fostering harmony among people. Those who try to impose their views on others often do so out of their own insecurities, seeking validation from others. However, disagreements are inevitable in relationships with multiple individuals due to our uniqueness. How we handle these disagreements can impact the success of the relationship. Being open to different perspectives and approaches, fighting fairly, and mutually respecting each other's ideas are crucial for personal growth and maintaining a healthy relationship. Ultimately, it is important to create a safe space where both parties can freely express themselves without fear of judgment, even if they agree to disagree.
"Then he [Elisha] arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him." ~ 1 Kings 19:21 In order to accomplish tasks successfully, it is essential to have the right team around you. This is why effective leaders are always seeking out quality individuals. However, the individuals you attract are often a reflection of your own qualities rather than just your preferences. Typically, you tend to draw in people who share similar traits with you. Just like Elisha mirrored Elijah, desiring a double portion of Elijah's spirit. Your own character will attract similar individuals. While it is possible to seek out individuals who differ from you, it is important to understand that these individuals may not naturally gravitate towards you. If you find yourself dissatisfied with the type of people you are attracting, it might be time to work on self-improvement. It is crucial to be mindful of certain tendencies within yourself and address them when necessary:
1) Arrogance: People are unlikely to follow someone who displays a superior attitude. 2) Insecurity: If you are not confident in yourself, it will affect how others perceive you. 3) Unpredictability: If others cannot anticipate your behavior, they may disengage. 4) Perfectionism: While excellence is respected, setting unattainable standards can deter others. 5) Pessimism: Nobody wants to be around someone who always sees the negative side. These five traits can be detrimental to your leadership effectiveness, so it is wise to surround yourself with individuals who can identify any negative traits and help you improve as a leader. |
AuthorPastor Mark shares a daily devotional thought from God's word in order to encourage and equip you for life's journey ArchivesCategories |
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