08/23/2026
"Make the First Move" - A devotional from Chaplain Shelby
When you’ve failed, when the struggle of sin gets the best of you, who do you talk to? How do they respond? How do you want them to respond?
There was a time in my life when I really struggled with personal sin. No one knew it but me. It was at a time in my life when I was really seeking God's direction and I wanted Him to use me in some powerful way. I was concerned that my struggle might prevent me from being useful to God.
Then I can remember reading the passage of Scripture found in James 5:13-16: “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”
Early in my ministry career, there was a gentleman on my staff whom I considered a friend. We prayed together frequently, and I was always impressed with his knowledge of the Bible. We had many conversations about deep spiritual matters. One evening as we were praying, I decided to tell him about my struggle with sin and ask him to pray for this area of my life diligently.
A few months after that conversation, I was given new job responsibilities that included becoming his supervisor. The time came when I had to make some difficult decisions that affected his department. He did not agree with my decision and decided to gather other disgruntled employees to oppose the coming changes.
Unfortunately, in his zeal to overturn my decision and gather opposition, he shared the personal information I asked him to pray about with some in that group.
While the information had little to no impact on the outcome of the changes, the betrayal by a friend was almost unbearable. I remained cordial and professional in my dealings with him, but I struggled for years to forgive him.
One day during my quiet time, I read Matthew 7:12: “Do to others what you would have them do to you.”
It is also known as the Golden Rule.
I had prided myself on always doing just that: treating people the way I wanted to be treated. However, in my mind I justified making an exception for this co-worker. He deserved my wrath, my unforgiveness. But as I continued to meditate on that scripture, I found no exception clause.
Reading this morning from the Verse of the Day Devotional, I came across this: “This isn’t just a feel-good suggestion; it’s a call to live like Jesus. It means choosing love when indifference is easier. Offering forgiveness when revenge feels justified. Seeing people not as they are in their worst moments, but as God sees them, broken yet beloved.
Isn’t that exactly what Christ did for us? He didn’t wait for us to be worthy. He loved first. He forgave first. He served first. He sacrificed first. The Golden Rule isn’t just about treating people well; it’s about mirroring the very heart of God. When we love first, we break the cycle of selfishness. When we serve first, we bring heaven to earth. When we choose grace, we reveal Jesus in a world starving for Him.
So today, don’t wait for kindness, initiate it. Don’t hold back grace, lavish it. Love, not because it's earned, but because it’s who Jesus is. When you do, you won't just be following a rule, you’ll be fulfilling the Gospel itself.”
So, make the first move.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank you for showing me what true love looks like through Jesus. When loving others feels hard, remind me of the patient, relentless love you've shown me. When I want to wait for someone else to take the first step, help me remember that you always moved first. Give me the courage to choose kindness over judgment, grace over resentment and love over indifference. Let my life reflect the love you so freely pour out.
In Jesus' Name…..Amen.
From the Heart
