One more thing to focus on this weekend

In the 8th chapter of his book on Humility, C.J. Mahaney brings up and interesting point to ponder. He states that we should, "look for evidences of grace in the lives of others." He says that if we do that we will focus on the fruits of the spirit which are :Joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. How is this practice humbling in the least you ask?
Focusing on these things will help you to do 2 things, first of all it will show you God at work all around you in the lives of people you are closest to. Secondly, it will allow you to understand God a little better.
Think of the people who are the strongest Christians who surround you. THink of some of the things you have either said or done to them in the past and focus on how they treat you. Most likely, they treat you with several of the fruits of the spirit. If they do, knowing what you have done to them, how you have acting toward them, or even how you have thought toward them do you deserve the way they treat you. Did they treat you with peace, patience and kindness? Are they a faithful and gentle friend exhibiting self-control? If so that can only be because of God at work in your life and in theirs. Otherwise none of those would be an option.
Now we've looked at the fruits of the Spirit, how about the gifts of the Spirit. These are equally important in seeing and comprehending God at work in your life. When you can see the fruits of the spirit and the gifts of the spirit at work in the lives of others you can fully understand how humbling it is that God would use sinners such as us. Come on now, you know when you are around certain people, other Christians you think about the mistakes they've made in the past. You atleast allow your mind to wander off to that time when you watched them fall, or you fell with them. Yet, God continues to use them right there in that place. ANd, even more amazingly He continues to build a relationship with and use you, the very person who has sinned tremendously, and the very person who may not have forgiven someone else for there shortcomings.
So think about the fruits of the Spirit, then look for the gifts of the Spirit in those around you and allow God to show you He is at work all around you. USing sinners such as yourself to accomplish big things for His kingdom on a daily basis.