Who Cares What You Believe?

Do you believe in saving the environment?
Do you believe in helping the poor?
Do you believe in saving endangered animals?
Do you believe in reaching the world for Christ?

Who cares? 

The above items are all what are called "Macro Values" or "big" values.  Really, the only way most people care about your Macro Values is when you live out good "Micro Values."

What are Micro Values?  Those are the way you treat people on a daily basis.  People like your mom and dad, your brothers and sisters, your friends, the people in choir with you, that weird kid in youth group, your teachers, your boyfriend or girlfriend. 

If you don't treat others with kindness and generosity, don't expect people to care a hill o' beans about your vision for saving panda bears or sharing Jesus with people in China. 

See, it's easy to have Macro Values, because for a lot of us it's mostly talk. 

Micro Values, though, are hard.  It's tough to not rip on your mom.  It's tough to help your brother.  It's tough to stop your bad mood from taking itself out on your teacher. 

Here's what you need though: a Micro Helper, called the Holy Spirit. 

See God used to operate in Macro.  He was with His people...as a group.  He resided in their temple.

In the new creation, as in after the coming of Jesus, Father goes Micro on us!


Now Father lives inside you.  Did you get that?  INSIDE YOU!  Learn to listen to Him.  Listen for those nudges that point you toward ways to love, that point you toward ways to help people open up, that point you toward ways to build up people's confidence.  Listen for when He's saying, "It's time for courage" or when He says, "Slow down, people need you.  Get some rest" or "Help that kid up on the opposite team."

To me, the most exciting part of life is to see yourself, the Micro you, transform into the glorious person you were made to be.

This is a process, not a one-time event.  I think, though, as your Micro Values become progressively a natural part of your heart, people will begin to...

care about what you believe.