August 7
The Road to
Consideration
"No one should look out for their own interests. Instead, they should look out for the interests of others."
1 Corinthians 10:24 (NIrV)
Harry never really thought about how his driving affected others. He wasn’t a reckless driver—he never sped too fast or ran red lights—but he had a habit of being inconsiderate. He never bothered to use his turn signal because he figured people behind him would figure it out. When he parked, he often left his car half on the road, half on the sidewalk, just because it was easier for him to get out. And when he opened his door, he never thought twice about whether it might bang against the car next to him.
One afternoon, after grabbing a coffee, Harry stepped out of his car and barely glanced at the vehicle beside him as he flung his door open. A dull thud told him he had hit something, but he didn’t even bother checking. He locked his car and walked off.
Later that day, as Harry walked back to his car, he noticed a woman struggling to push a stroller around a car—his car—because it was blocking the sidewalk. She hesitated, glancing at the busy road before cautiously stepping onto it. A truck honked loudly, and Harry's stomach clenched. If she had misjudged her timing by even a second, the outcome could have been disastrous.
For the first time, it hit him—his actions weren’t just small annoyances. They had real consequences. His carelessness could have put someone in danger. As he continued driving, guilt gnawed at him. He thought about all the times he had ignored little inconveniences for others, only thinking about what was easy for himself.
That night, he sat in his car for a long time before going inside. He pulled out his phone and looked up a Bible verse for guidance. His eyes landed on 1 Corinthians 10:24: "No one should look out for their own interests. Instead, they should look out for the interests of others."
Harry sighed and closed his eyes. "God, I never realized how selfish I’ve been. I’ve been so focused on my own convenience that I’ve ignored how my actions affect others. Please help me to be more aware, to be more considerate. Change my heart, Lord. I want to do better."
The next morning, as he walked to his car, he saw a scratch on the door—probably from when he had hit that other car. Normally, he would have shrugged it off, but today, it felt different. A small price to pay for a lesson learned.
When he parked at work that day, he took an extra few seconds to make sure his car was fully in the space. When he got out, he carefully opened the door, avoiding the car next to him. And when he turned at the next intersection, he flicked on his turn signal.
It was a small start, but Harry knew it was the beginning of a change—a change that wasn’t just about driving, but about how he saw the people around him.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for opening my eyes to how my actions affect others.
I confess that I have been careless and self-centered in ways I didn’t even realize.
Please help me to think beyond myself, to be aware of those around me, and to act in love and consideration.
Change my heart so that I reflect Your kindness in every part of my life, even in the smallest actions.
Thank You for Your grace and patience as I grow
In Jesus' name, Amen.
