Back when I led a ministry on a college campus we held a weekly gathering with music and skits and talks. Students led the meetings and enjoyed friends. At times our leaders enjoyed each other so much they forgot to meet new people who came in the door. I discovered a vital step in discipleship—helping young believers notice and turn toward others.

I challenged our leaders to not just meet someone new the next week, but to learn their name. Over the next few weeks our meetings grew by leaps and bounds as new students felt seen and known.

At times it’s tempting to hold the mercy of the Lord to myself. I understand with Paul that when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we have done, but because of his mercy.

Then the Lord poured out the Holy Spirit upon us, justified us by his grace, and made us heirs of eternal life.

These truths are meant to be understood and enjoyed and rested in. But Paul didn’t stop there. He followed with this injunction:

I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good.

The Lord aimed his kindness and goodness at me and you for more for than just me and you. From this wellspring flows a life of doing good for others.

Careful to devote rings a lot more involved than merely helping when it’s convenient. Devotion requires thoughtfulness and time. It costs me something. I turn from self-reflection to considering the needs of others.

The goodness of the Lord moves us from getting to giving—the most profound step in our faith journey. Try it. Learn the name of someone new today, and watch how they respond.

Titus 3 in reading the Bible from cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Tavi White