In a few weeks the latest Marvel movie Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings will be coming out I started to think about these RINGS and why followers of Jesus would benefit from such RINGS.
Now, I’m not talking about physical rings you put on your fingers or, in the case of the new movie, your arms. I’m talking about words. Words have a RING to them and like the rings in Shang-Chi, these words have power.
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Here are the ten rings every believer needs.
ShaRING
“One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him,“Here is a boy with five barley loaves and two small fish. But what difference will these make among so many?”” Jon 6:8,9
The world is overwhelmed with issues and problems. Most days we can feel like Andrew, “But what difference will these make?” And because we think our small contribution will not matter, we do nothing. Share what you have be it money, time or gifts and God will multiply it.
CaRING
The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Take care of him,’ he said, ‘and on my return I will repay you for any additional expense.’ Luke 10:35
Jesus didn’t just ask us to share, he asked us to do something much harder, care. Throwing a few dollars in offering is one thing, giving yourself, putting yourself out to care for someone else is an act of vulnerability.
Peter wrote, “Cast all your cares on Him for He cares for you.” God cares for us physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. We should do the same for others.
DaRING
The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. Proverbs 28:1
The world needs believers who will not scurry about in fear and doubt wringing (see what I did there?) their hands. The world needs adventurous, audaciously bold believers who will live out the love they have received. Dare to love others, serve others, care for others and share with others.
MentoRING
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19,20
In the spiritual sense, every believer should be helping people who are new to the faith grow in that faith, but anyone can take someone under their wing and teach a new skill or impart wisdom when life becomes difficult.
Where would you be if someone, a teacher, a preacher, a boss, didn’t help you along?
Give back.
BearING
We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Romans 15:1
Life is often hard for so many. Negativity is ever increasing. We who have a lighter load and broader shoulders should help bear the failings of others. There will come a time when you are not so strong and will need someone to help carry your burden, sow and you will reap.
SuffeRING
Indeed, none of you should suffer as a murderer or thief or wrongdoer, or even as a meddler. But if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but glorify God that you bear that name.… I Peter 4:15
Suffering is like Thanos, inevitable. Suffering is part of the human condition. Jesus suffered. The Apostle Paul suffered. Ghandi suffered. Mother Teresa suffered. There are some who deny their suffering, but how we suffer can be a lesson to other.
Suffering does not mean we should only be stoic in the face of terrible things, but compassionate and giving, emptying ourselves, that if indeed you suffer for your faith, do not glory in your ability to suffer but that you get to suffer for His name. Pray for the believers in Afghanistan who are or will be facing this very thing.
MinisteRING
Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. Matthew 27:55
Jesus could have be physically self sufficient. The man who could multiply loaves and fishes would never go hungry, but when he did a miracle it was not for his own benefit but for the benefit of others.
As believers, you must live lives of ministering to others especially even if you do not have a title or hold any papers. People in trouble do not need people with titles and degrees, then need people with hearts full of love.
VolunteeRING
But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. Luke 22:26
Volunteering is just another word for serving. In a world where the goal is to be the greatest, believers need to show what it means to serve in the darkness before claiming victory in the light.
Serve someone today who is “not worthy” who in your opinion, others, is not deserving of it and you will be paint a picture of what Christ did for you.
SurrendeRING
When Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, He yielded up His spirit. Matthew 27:50
This wasn’t the firs time Jesus surrendered, but it was his last. Jesus entered our world surrendered. He had surrendered heaven, a throne, surrounded a heavenly crown for a crown of thorns.
For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2
When God calls you, he calls you to surrender to his will and his ways. Jesus surrounded his crown but received it back. So it is with you, surrender your entitlement, and God will raise you up in due season.
PrepaRING
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:2
As a believer, you know where your reward really is. Yes, there will be victories here below, but nothing compared for when this life is through. We ought to prepare our minds as well as our hears to receive what is to come.
Yes, there are people who are prepp-ers, they prepare for the worst but as believers, we should prepare for the best.
Jesus said, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
You can only prepare for this life so much, unknown elements pop up when we least expect it, ask the people who were preparing for retirement in the stock market crash of 2008.
Be prepared for the good and the bad with faith, hope and love.
No, using these rings won’t make you a super hero, but it could make you someone’s hero.