1)# ’Seek peace and pursue it.’
Psalm 34:14 (11-16)
Peace is not found easily. You only have to look at situations around the world today to realise this. The smiles and handshakes at press conferences cover up the hearts of resentment, selfishness and greed. Peace is costly and the price is too high for so many. The psalmist tells us that if we are to seek peace, then we must turn from evil.
Evil actions stem from evil intentions. Good actions come from a good heart. When our hearts are changed we can then be those who look for peace and are not deterred by other people or things. To pursue is to be persistent and not to give up and this quality is required of all peacemakers. Irrespective of what those around us might want, those of us who have the Spirit of God within us will seek peace wherever it may be found and whatever it takes to obtain it. When we seek peace, we follow the example of the Prince of Peace who has reconciled us to God. Let’s be peacemakers today, in the home, in the workplace and wherever.
2)# ’Of greater worth than gold.’
1 Peter 1:7 (3-9)
The value of gold goes up and down depending on world events and financial markets. Investing in gold, or any commodity, is a gamble, as the disclaimers state, even though they are read in a hurry! As Peter points our, even pure refined gold will perish in the end. Whatever promises are made, the investments of this life are not guaranteed and will inevitably come to an end with the end of life itself.
In contrast, the inheritance we have in Christ can never perish, spoil or fade. Why not? Because it is not kept in earthly vaults, but kept in heaven. As Jesus pointed out in Matthew 6, storing up ‘treasure in heaven’ will guarantee eternal reward. Our hope is not in financial markets or material things of this world, but in the promises of an omnipotent and eternal God. And his promises will never fail. We can be confident that he will keep what we have entrusted to him, our very selves, until that day when Christ returns.
The trials and testings of this life only emphasise the glory and beauty of the inheritance we have in Christ Jesus. It is real and it is certain and it is ours by faith, now and for eternity.
3)# ’Keep your gifts for yourself.’
Daniel 5:17 (13-17)
King Belshazzar wanted to influence what Daniel said. But Daniel was not open to a bribe. He knew that the gifts of man are nothing compared with being right before God. His service for God was not going to be compromised by the riches offered by the king. Belshazzar had set himself up against God. He had no regard for what was holy and now faced God’s judgement. In contrast Daniel feared God more than he feared the king and chose to lose the temporary rewards of this world in order to remain right before God.
For all of us who want to live in obedience to the Lord, there will be times when the offers of the world must be rejected. Whatever might cause us to surrender our integrity before God must be spurned. Society will ask us to compromise, to tolerate, to be reasonable, to ignore Biblical truth. Daniel’s example is there for us to follow, so wherever we are and whoever we are with, let’s make the right choices, today.
4)# ’Who was I?’
Acts 11:17 (11-18)
Surely an apostle should know what’s going on? After all, Peter had been involved from the beginning. The Church was growing despite opposition and things were generally going to some sort of plan and pattern amongst the Jewish people. Then God does the unexpected. He goes beyond the rules, beyond the acceptable, and Peter finds himself caught up in a fresh move of the Holy Spirit amongst the Gentiles. Although it felt uncomfortable for Peter, he knew he could not stand in the way of what God was doing.
How often does God want to work outside of the norm only to find us in the way? How often do we hinder people from coming to Jesus simply because they do not conform to our ways? How often are we so focussed on ourselves that we miss, or even dismiss, what the Holy Spirit is doing in other people’s lives? Thank God for Peter’s willingness to step ‘out of the boat’ once again and go with what God was doing. So let’s follow his example and acknowledge Christ to be Lord of all, then be thrilled by the unexpected ways in which he will work, in our lives and in the lives of other people.
5)# ’ “Even now” declares the Lord.’
Joel 2:12 (11-14)
However far we may have gone away from the Lord Jehovah, ‘even now’ we can start coming back. Despite the persistent sin of the Israelites, and their continual desire for other gods, the Lord God calls them back to himself and gives them another opportunity to enjoy his blessing.
It may be that things have gone badly wrong in our lives and we wonder if there is a way back to God. Well, however deep the pit in which we find ourselves, God’s love is deeper still. ‘Even now’ we can call out to the Lord Jesus and he will lift us up and set our feet on solid ground. We may have to deal with some consequences of wrong-doing, but we won’t be on our own.
Joel reassures the Israelites of the Lord's graciousness, compassion and love, and of his offer of salvation to all. , even now, as the Holy Spirit urges, to receive the welcome, forgiveness and restoration that the Lord Jesus alone can give.
6)# ’Sitting … dressed and in his right mind.’
Luke 8:35 (34-39)
The touch of Jesus affects the whole of life. In this situation, people arrive to find the man ‘sitting at Jesus’ feet’. He hadn’t sat still for years. He’d been troubled and disturbed by evil spirits, but Jesus calms his troubled soul and gives him peace. The demons had stripped this man of all respect leaving him naked and exposed. Jesus restores his dignity, clothes him in divinely provided garments, just as God had covered the nakedness of Adam and Eve. Demons had driven this man mad and left him running wild. Self-control and restraint were gone and he was left isolated, alone. Christ restores a ‘right mind’, enabling him to be integrated once again into the community, to be valued and of worth.
The god of this world is still leaving men and women, young and old, with no sense of respect for self or others and frantically breaking any last moral restraint. Our social malaise is getting worse, despite all our scientific and technological progress. Our only hope is in Christ Jesus. He restores dignity and self-worth. He heals broken hearts and sets free those who are bound by habits and the past. Whether it is for the first time or yet again, let’s come, submit to the work of the Holy Spirit and let him make us whole.
7)# ’Busy with his own house.’
Haggai 1:9 (7-12)
Despite being busy, the Israelites found that all their hard work was proving futile. The more they did, the less they achieved. Whilst rebuilding the temple, the people had become distracted with building homes for themselves and their priorities had changed. The house of the Lord could wait. Concern for self had replaced attention to God, and as a result life was empty and futile.
It can be easy to let busy lives distract us from giving attention to the Lord. We can be so focussed on getting things sorted, achieving certain goals, that we give the Lord a back seat. The excuse offered by the Israelites was that it was not yet time. Other things had priority and needed to be done first. Big mistake. But if we put Christ first, and live to his honour and glory, then he will help us sort out the rest of life (cf Matt 6:33).
8)# ’Must not show favouritism.’
James 2:1 (1-6)
Here’s a word of warning and encouragement. Favouritism comes in all shapes and guises. How easily we show it and receive it without noticing, but how quick we are to speak up when it is shown to other people and not to us. Favouritism shown to Joseph by his resulted in envy and jealousy amongst his brothers. Favouritism sought by James and John (and their mother), seriously upset the rest of the disciples.
Showing favouritism invariably seeks something in return, whether it’s popularity or material benefit. And it will always have negative consequences, as seen in the earlier examples, which is why James warns us against it. It is often the way of our society, but should not be the way amongst God’s people. It is of the old nature and must be checked. The encouragement is to either be impartial or, as Jesus encourages us, to show kindness deliberately to those who have no influence or high position and so cannot repay us. A blessing is promised, if we do (cf Lk 14:13-14).
9)# ’Break up your unploughed ground.’
Hosea 10:12 (9-12)
We all have areas of our lives that need to be broken up. Areas of stubborn resistance to the work of the Holy Spirit; habits and attitudes from the old nature that we leave unattended. Well, listen to what God says.
Unploughed ground becomes waste land. It no longer produces a harvest but gives room for weeds and thistles to grow. The danger is that weeds can spread into other areas and begin to pollute the productive ground. Areas of our lives that are not given over to the Holy Spirit can affect our whole being and prevent us from enjoying the fullness of life in Christ.
Just as the Lord longed to give the Israelites the very best, so he wants the very best for his people today. So let’s give the Holy Spirit access to those unploughed areas of our lives, for him to help us to dig them over so that righteousness might grow.
10)# ’Except a little oil.’
2 Kings 4:2 (1-7)
Not a lot, just a little, but that was all that was needed. By giving the little she had, this widow and her sons experienced the generosity of God and shared it with other people. Their neighbours had the very best oil that has ever been produced!
Time and again the Bible tells of the way God uses the small and insignificant to achieve his purpose and bring much blessing. So different from the ways of the world around us. God does not despise the small things, does not push them to one side. Instead he specifically chooses the small, insignificant, weak and lowly to use for his glory (cf 1 Cor 1:27ff). Even if we’re at the back of the queue, we’ll be chosen by the Lord.
So let’s not focus on what we have not got. Rather recognise what we do have and give it to the Lord. That way we’ll know his generosity and other people will be blessed as well.
11)# ’Such great faith.’
Luke 7:9 (1-10)
Such faith is simple faith. Jesus sees what others could not see. It seems that the centurion’s faith had grown between him sending his servants to Jesus and then sending his friends when Jesus is closer to his house. The first request was for Jesus to come. The second request was for Jesus to stay - and just ‘say the word’. The centurion recognised that the authority of Jesus was as much in his word as in his presence.
Doubt challenges faith. It adds the ‘what if’ and the ‘maybe’. It offers alternatives, safety nets and get-out clauses. It comes in the form of human reasoning, logical arguments and past disappointments. But, like the centurion, our faith must be focussed on Christ and his power, not on ourselves. We rely on him, on his word, on his Spirit. That’s why the ‘mustard seed’ of faith can achieve a lot when we ‘sow’ it in what Christ can do. The more time we spend with Jesus, the more we will know his ways and the more our faith in him will grow. Then we will see him at work in and through us for the good of others and to the glory of Father God.
12)# ’As it turned out.’
Ruth 2:3 (1-7)
What appeared to be a chance event was actually arranged by God himself. Ruth’s servant heart was what God needed to fulfil his divine plan. As well as sharing the sadness of widowhood with Naomi, Ruth was willing to share in the burden that came with it. Yet little did she know what God had in store. As she picked up the left-overs of barley in Boaz’s field, she picked up a place in the family line into which Christ would come.
However hard life may treat us, the Lord can still use us. As with Ruth, the Lord looks for those with a servant heart. Nothing depends on chance when we make ourselves available to the Lord. Ruth’s joy in marrying Boaz was a shadow of the joy we shall all share when we are united with Christ when he comes again. And then we will appreciate the significance of the part we have played in God’s eternal plan, however small it might have seemed to us.
13)# ’Worthy of respect.’
1 Timothy 3:8 & 11 (8-13)
Within a few verses, Paul outlines the qualities for Christian men and women, especially those in leadership, that make them worthy of respect. The respect Paul is speaking of here is somewhat different from that afforded by the world. Worldly respect is given to those who are publicly successful, famous, wealthy or make their mark in society. But it often ignores other aspects of an individual's character and private life.
But the qualities spoken of here don’t always make the headlines. Paul highlights sincerity and self-control; honesty in transactions (v8). He underlines the importance of adhering to Biblical teaching (v9), of gracious speech by warning against gossip (v11), which can be easy to start, but so damaging in the end. He encourages modesty, restraint and integrity (v11), which are so often missing within modern society. Whatever our position, we all have influence amongst other people,
to one extent or another. So let’s make sure we encourage respect for godly living, by living godly lives.
14)# ’But Jonah ran away.’
Jonah 1:3 (1-6)
Not the best thing to do in hindsight, but an instinctive reaction when called to go to Ninevah. Jonah would have thought of a number of other places he would rather go to, than Ninevah. Ninevah had a terrifying reputation and it wasn’t in one’s interest to highlight their wickedness. Jonah decided he would rather be ‘all at sea’. He is not alone in looking for a way out. Moses and Gideon are another two.
But God chooses people like Jonah, like you and me, in order to show his grace, mercy and power. Following Christ is not about an easy life, but it is about an obedient life. It may be at our place of work or amongst our family and friends that Christ calls us to be a witness for him, so let’s not run away. The One who calls, will enable. Let’s be available for God today, so that other people might hear about his mercy and grace and find forgiveness in Christ as their Saviour and Lord.
15)# ’No-one except Jesus.’
Matthew 17:8 (1-9)
These three disciples had experienced something very special indeed that day on the mountain. Not only had they glimpsed the divine glory of Jesus, but they had also seen Moses and Elijah. Then as if that wasn’t enough, as a cloud covered them all, they heard the very voice of Father God. What an amazing time!
Perhaps we long for this kind of experience or, like Peter, want to hold on to those special moments. But life goes on. When the moment had passed, the disciples looked up to see ‘no-one except Jesus’.
Mountain-top experiences will come and go. Heroes of faith will move on. Visions and dreams will have their day. But when normal life resumes, when we come down the mountain, our attention must be on Jesus. If we seek after anything or anyone else, then we will be disappointed and let down. But Jesus will never let us down or disappear when things get hard. He’s the One on whom our salvation depends and we have his Holy Spirit living within us as a deposit of what is to come. He’s the Alpha and the Omega of life. He is our all in all. Have eyes for no-one except Jesus today.
16)# ’A well-to-do woman.’
2 Kings 4:8 (8-10)
Elisha was a frequent and welcome guest, so much so that this lady, with her husband’s consent, had a room specially set up for Elisha as his own, ready for whenever he came by. Her hospitality and generosity are an example to us all. Yet there is much more to this lady than we might initially think.
As her story unfolds in the following verses, we see a determination and a faith that sets her apart. This lady did not stand on ceremony. We can picture her rolling up her sleeves and getting stuck in with the building work. She was a woman of action and resolve who didn’t seek any favours because of her social standing. Yet her faith was tested and proved strong in the face of death. As a result she witnessed the power of God to raise her son from the dead. Her humility and honesty are refreshing and she stands as a beacon in the Old Testament.
Whoever we are and whatever our position, let’s follow the example of this lady and make ourselves available to serve one another out of our love for Christ, so that the Lord can use us to
be part of building the Kingdom of God.
17)# ’He (Jesus) called her forward.’
Luke 13:12 (10-16)
This was not to embarrass the lady, but to free her from eighteen years of Satan’s crippling hold. Bent over, she had lost her dignity and suffered humiliation. That’s the way Satan treats people. But Jesus calls her forward and restores her to walk tall once again and give praise to God.
There can be many things that bind us up. Things unseen that have a very real hold over us. Things from the past that cripple us and prevent us from walking upright before the Lord and before other people. Freedom in Christ is not just about our physical health, but also about our spiritual and mental wellbeing. Healing and forgiveness from those things that have wounded and damaged us on the inside, is what only Christ can give. So as he invites us to come to him, let’s respond and receive help and healing from him today.
18)# ’She tied the scarlet cord in her window.’
Joshua 2:21 (17-22)
This was a simple act of faith, yet it had eternal significance. It was no special cord, other than being scarlet, but it brought together various strands of God’s promises that remain to this day.
Rahab had the faith to believe that this simple act would save her and her household when everyone else perished. It was a public declaration of her trust in the living God Jehovah. All could see the cord tied to her window. The salvation gained in a scarlet cord spoke of the salvation that was to come through the shed blood of Christ for all who will trust in what he has done.
Rahab’s faith was such that it not only saved her and all her household, but enabled her to be an important part of God’s plan of salvation as an ancestor of Jesus Christ (cf Matt 1:5). God looks for obedience rather than reputation, faith rather than status. Let’s confess our trust in Christ again today in word and deed, so as to be included in his eternal plan of salvation.
19)# ’Though it linger, wait for it.’
Habakkuk 2:3 (1:12 - 2:3)
Habakkuk’s complaint in these verses has been echoed by many over the years. You and I do not always understand the ways of God. We struggle to know why he appears to stand by and do nothing, whilst the wicked ‘swallow up those more righteous than themselves’ (1:13). This may well be how you and I feel about some situations in the world today.
But the answer from God is that there is a time already set for justice and judgement to be done. The proud and arrogant will be brought low. Those who afflict and mistreat others will face God’s wrath. Those who cry out to the Lord for help will not be forgotten. But we have to be patient as we wait for this time. The promise is that it will certainly come. Waiting can be hard, especially when things are unfair. But Peter explains that the Lord’s ‘lingering’ is so that people might repent (2 Pet 3:9). We can join with Habakkuk by praying ‘in wrath remember mercy’ (Hab 3:2) as we share the gospel of Christ whilst there is still time for people to be saved. Justice and judgement will come as will the day of complete salvation for all who are waiting for Christ’s return (Heb 9:28).
20)# ’Seasoned with salt.’
Colossians 4:6 (2-6)
Paul is not talking about preparing meat or vegetables. He is talking about the conversation of believers. Salt is used to season food, so as to improve the overall taste. It can also be used as a preservative, to delay the process of decay. A saline solution can also provide cleansing and healing.
In the same way the conversation of all who follow Christ should be wholesome, gracious and encouraging. This should not just apply to what we may say in public, to make a good impression, but also to what we say in private. Seasoning food starts as a deliberate action, but it gradually becomes an automatic part of cooking. To always speak with grace and kindness, honesty and integrity may require effort at first, but the more we do it, the more natural it can become. So let’s season what we say today, so that others may be blessed and encouraged.
21)# ’But God intended it for good.’
Genesis 50:20 (15-21)
God’s intentions override those of men. As Joseph looked back over the years, he could see that despite the evil intentions of his brothers, God had his hand on everything, even those dark and painful times. Submitting to God’s plan for our lives does not mean that it will be trouble-free or without hardship. But Joseph became the means of saving his immediate family and the people of Egypt from famine and the means of fulfilling God’s purposes through the people of Israel.
Living as followers of Christ in a hostile world will mean difficulties. But, like Joseph, we can trust ‘that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.’ The reward for all good and faithful servants is guaranteed and any troubles we’ve endured in this life will be nothing compared to the glory awaiting us in the new creation. Irrespective of what the intentions of men might be, let’s live in obedience to God and he will honour us, just as he did for Joseph.
24)# ’You will eat and be satisfied.’
Deuteronomy 11:15 (9-15)
This is the promise for all who walk in obedience to the Lord God. It speaks of God’s daily provision for his people. For the Israelites it was the provision of a physical place for their physical needs. The rain produced a harvest of grain, wine and oil which in turn provided food for them to eat - in abundance. But with it came a warning not to neglect their spiritual well-being. Yet time and again, they did not heed the warning. They went after other gods, embraced wrong practices and broke the relationship they had with God. As a result they stepped outside of God’s blessing until they returned to him in repentance.
The Israelites serve as a warning for us today. When we are in times of plenty, let’s not let it make us careless and complacent in our relationship with Jesus. When we are in a time of hardship, let’s allow it to keep us turning to Christ for help. The spiritual dimension of life must not be neglected in favour of physical comfort. The promise is that if we seek first God’s Kingdom, then all we need for life will be provided.
23)# ’He was about to pass by them.’
Mark 6:48 (45-53)
We can be just like the disciples. We can become so preoccupied with our immediate circumstances that we fail to see Jesus close by. With the pressures of everyday life, we struggle on in our own strength. Perhaps we inadvertently leave Jesus in the church setting and try to cope on our own with the daily chores. Maybe we don’t expect Jesus to be interested in our ‘secular’ activities.
Recognising Jesus in our everyday lives can be something we need to learn. In their struggle to row, with the wind against them, the disciples simply did not expect Jesus to show up. At first they did not notice him and then they mistook him for a ghost! Thankfully they recognised his voice and were able to experience his help. So let’s not be surprised when Jesus shows up in our weekday. Let’s not let him pass us by, but welcome the help and encouragement that he brings.
22)# ’I will send rain on your land.’
Deuteronomy 11:14 (9-15)
For a people who had been trudging through the dry, barren, desert for forty years, surviving on basic rations, these were refreshing words of promise. The blessing of rain and bountiful produce would come as the Israelites lived in obedience to God in the land of Canaan..
For all of us, life can be a trudge, sometimes. Day in, day out, routines and duties to fulfil. Well, hear the promise of the Lord and enjoy his blessing today. Rain refreshes, and the Lord wants to refresh us through the outpouring of his Spirit. Rain brings growth and if you and I want to grow in our discipleship of Christ, then we need to keep in step with his Spirit. Rain produces a harvest and as we yield to the work of the Holy Spirit within us, so our lives will bear the fruit of the Spirit and produce a harvest of righteousness to the glory of the Lord God. So let’s live in obedience to Christ Jesus today and enjoy the refreshing rain of his Holy Spirit.
25)# ’But they laughed at him.’
Mark 5:40 (35-40)
What Jesus said seemed ridiculous. These people reckoned they knew a dead child when they saw one. But Jesus saw things differently. What was ridiculed by some, turned out to be true for others as Jairus and his wife trusted in what Jesus said, and saw life restored to their dead daughter. The One who was laughed at made all the difference for the ones who believed.
Many people will ridicule Christianity as outdated and irrelevant in today’s progressive society. Biblical teaching has been superseded by human reasoning and political correctness. Science and technology have become our hope for the future. But science and technology can do nothing about the problem of sin and guilt within the human heart. For all our progress and learning, there is a growing uncertainty about our identity and more unrest within our society.
That’s why, despite ridicule, we must continue to declare what the Bible says about the life that Christ can give. how our true identity is found in him and how we can know forgiveness for sin, freedom from guilt and new life in Christ.
26)# ’Then you will know which way to go.’
Joshua 3:4 (1-8)
For many years, Joshua had followed Moses who was the one to receive direction from the Lord. Now it was time for Joshua to step up and take over from Moses, which meant he had to learn to determine the Lord’s leading. In this instance, the ark of the covenant, which represented the presence of God, gave the lead that Joshua and the people were to follow.
Learning to recognise the presence of the Lord Jesus is important if we are to determine his plans and purposes for us and for his Church. The peace of the Holy Spirit is a companion to his presence and the Bible provides practical guidance on all aspects of life which is consistent with any leading from the Holy Spirit. It can take time to learn to listen to God’s Spirit and determine his guidance, but if our hearts are right before him, then he will make clear the way forward, just like he did for Joshua.
27)# ’Is anything too hard for the Lord?’
Genesis 18:14 (10-14)
Sarah was old. Abraham was even older. Sarah was well past having children, but Abraham was told that they would have a son within the year. Listening ‘off stage’ was Sarah, who laughed involuntarily, at the very idea. It brought a gentle rebuke from the Lord and with it, this rhetorical question.
Whatever the Lord asks of us, the question is not about the Lord’s ability, but whether we are willing to trust him and fit in with his will and purposes. It may be unusual; it may be against the run of things; it may come as a surprise to us. But when the Lord called us to be his witnesses, he gave us his Holy Spirit to enable and empower us for the job. Let’s join in with what God is doing, in and through us today, and enjoy the blessing that comes with it.
28)# ’ ‘Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus’.
John 11:6 (1-7)
It can’t have been easy for Jesus to delay his visit to those he loved, for another two days, especially when it would cause initial heartache. Christ’s actions and comments also caused some confusion amongst the disciples and they clearly didn’t know what was going on. But it was part of God’s plan and purpose to reveal his power over death and to make a clear statement about the resurrection of the dead that is promised in the future. The delay was for a reason and the heartache was to be turned to joy within a week.
Just because Jesus loves us, doesn’t mean things will go according to our plans or that we will avoid the pain of life. In fact it is because he loves us that he calls us to learn the depths of true discipleship, often through testing times. He knows what is best for us, for others and for his glory. So let’s not be discouraged or give up, but rely on his love and support to see us through whatever lies ahead.
29)# ’The Lord will fight for you.’
Exodus 14:14 (10-18)
I wonder what ‘battles’ we are facing at the moment? Overcoming bad habits? Dealing with difficult relationships? Demanding work situations? Many of these challenges can become ongoing battles in our daily lives. Often we see these struggles from a human perspective and so ‘fight’ our battles on a human level. But it can often end in tears and frustration. The Israelites were trapped with the Red Sea ahead of them and the army of Pharaoh coming ever closer from behind. Humanly-speaking there was little hope. Terror had gripped them and panic was rising.
But Moses encourages them to look beyond themselves and to the Lord, for deliverance. We must do the same. We’re not immune from the struggles and challenges of life, but neither are we on our own. The Lord is with us and he will fight for us. Whatever ‘battles’ we face, let’s look to the Holy Spirit to help us to know what to do. Then as we move forward, with our trust in him, we can experience his deliverance.
30)# ’Because he will save his people from their sins.’
Matthew 1:21 (18-25)
What’s in a name? Our salvation - that’s what. Jesus is the Greek form of Joshua, which means ‘The LORD saves’.
Names are usually chosen by the parents according to their taste or current trends - or to be unusual. But the name of Jesus is chosen by God to reflect the purpose of Christ’s incarnation (Matt 1:21}.
We can be saved from many things by different people and organisations, but only one person can save us from our sin and from the wrath of a holy God - and that is Jesus. His salvation deals with our past, with our present and with our future. It’s a salvation that changes the very core of our being as we are born again by the Holy Spirit. It’s a salvation that cost the most, was paid in full and stands for all time and eternity. It’s a salvation that is worth more than anything else, yet is freely available to all who trust in the death and resurrection of Jesus. So let’s live in the reality of it today and let’s share it with other people, whenever we can.