February’s Mandate
A devotional by Chaplain Paul Anderson
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”—Colossians 3:12 NIV
February is known in the United States for Valentine’s Day. It is a special holiday when people express attraction and or affection for one another. New romances are ignited. Old romances are reaffirmed. Greeting cards, romantic poetry, chocolate candy and red roses are popular tokens of affinity gifted to people who are in a romantic relationship during this time.
February is also known as Black History Month. Inevitably, someone amongst those recognizing the focus of the month will quote a speech or a prolific line from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. … My favorite quote that is attributed to him is, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
Another phrase attributed to Dr. King is, “Beloved Community”. He adopted this phrase from the 19th century theologian/philosopher Josiah Royce. Royce described this beloved community as a coalition of people anywhere for whom their prime directives were loyalty and truth. King believed that this beloved community would be a bastion of security with liberty and justice for all. As the month of February opens before us, I challenge you, as you are able, to fill your environment each day this month with one of or all five traits mentioned below.
Trait #1: Compassion can be expressed as grace, humanity, and benevolence. Giving a benefit of doubt. Investing a moment of eye contact, a smile, a genuine interaction with a stranger can be re-humanizing to a person who is living in a marginalized circumstance.
Trait #2: Kindness looks like genuine courtesy, goodwill and the orientation to think and see the best within ourselves and others whose paths we cross. Kindness can be expressed by noticing something positively unique about someone and complimenting them. I see and appreciate the radiance in people’s eyes and smiles.
Trait #3: Humility is not self-loathing. It is a person’s ability to transcend arrogance and self-projections that minimize the humanity and efforts of people within our sphere of influence.
Trait #4: Providence allowed me to get a newer, used car than the one I had been driving. When I went to pick up my granddaughters from school, I could see their pride as they strode to my car. They even called out to some of their friends to draw attention to themselves as they stepped into my car. The next day, when I went to pick them up, I drove my older SUV with 220,000 miles on it. It was a teachable moment. When God provides us with evident blessings, they are to be used in His service, not paraded as the perks of piety.
Trait #5: Gentleness and patience are twin gifts. They come together and fit like a hand in a glove. Moving slowly through a crowd and being mindful of each person is what Jesus did. There may be moments when people draw from you. May it always be virtue and never contempt. Even if you find yourself in a toxic moment, be patient. Breathe deeply. Speak slowly and in low tones. Find points of agreement before magnifying differences. In so doing, you will find that your presence brings warmth and light that softens conflict and countenances. Be the change that you want to see by employing Colossians 3:12.
Let these traits be the uniform that identifies you as a devotee to the person, mind and character of Jesus Christ. When you do these things, you will begin to positively change the world inside and around you.
Let’s Pray: Almighty God, thank You for life in the month of February. Make us equal to the mandate of the month. Clothe us with the garb of truth, justice, humane affinity and generosity. In so doing, may our lives shine light and be examples of conflict resolution that will encircle the globe and bring peace where it has been displaced. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.
Song of Reflection: “I Need You to Survive” by Hezekiah Walker. Listen to it here.
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Author Bio:
Chaplain Anderson is the Director Emeritus of Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries for the North American Division. In this role, he was the friend, advocate and gatekeeper for the profession of chaplaincy among Adventist pastors.
His new mission is to specialize in personal and personnel development coaching.
He journeys with and guides clients, personal and corporate, as they define their goals and grow into their full potential.
His pastoral career began in the Allegheny East Conference where he was ordained.
Subsequently, he served in the Potomac Conference at the Sligo and Seabrook churches. His professional dream was to be a chaplain in the United States Navy. He got to live that dream and achieved the rank of Commander before retiring from Naval service in 2015 with 26 years of service.
Chaplain Anderson has earned four graduate degrees: He earned his Master of Divinity Degree was earned at the seminary at Andrews University. He earned a Master’s of Education from the University of Maryland and a Master’s in Sacred Theology from Boston University. His Doctor of Ministry was conferred by Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington D.C.
Chaplain Anderson and his wife Debra have been married for 41 years. They have two healthy, saved and well adjusted, adult children who picked good spouses and delivered four grandchildren.
Adventures through traveling, reading, praying, preaching, teaching and writing are the avenues of ministry and self-care that define his now and his destiny.
You may connect with Chaplain Anderson via email at this address, psanderson75@gmail.com.
