When you hear the word reciprocity or reciprocate do you think of a give and take scenario? Do you get a picture of someone lending you something, and in return you lend them something when they need it? Do you think about someone lending an ear when you need someone to talk to and in return you lending an ear when they need to talk? These are all examples of a relationship of reciprocity. Even with your parents you can look at it as your parents saying, if you do your chores then we can go to the mall and get those shoes you wanted. Every relationship is one of reciprocity. In social psychology, reciprocity is a social norm of responding to a positive action with another positive action, rewarding kind actions.
If we can understand reciprocity from a natural standpoint, surely we can understand it from a spiritual standpoint. Reciprocity is rooted in giving. 1 John 4:19 (AMP) says,
“We love, because He first loved us.”
Because God gave us love first, we ourselves can now give love. Not only to our brothers and sisters in Christ, but also back to God, the one who loved us first! Reciprocating that love back to God can be displayed in various ways. This is also a way to show appreciation and thankfulness for what He has already given you. It could be displayed by praying and talking to God daily, putting on some worship or praise music, simply saying “thank you” & building a relationship with Him. The hour you would be on the game, YouTube or social media, take some of that time to sit in the quiet, be still and let Him speak to you. Pray in the Holy Spirit letting Him download His wisdom and strategy during this time. He may lead you to ways of showing reciprocity within your own home to make the atmosphere more peaceful. You can start now. Listen to this song called “Be Still”. Listen to the words, let God show you how to reciprocate His love back to Him and through you to other people around you.
Epic Student Ministries
Lindsay Jenkins – Ministry Team