Born Free!
Lectionary Readings for the Week: 2 Kings: 1-2 & 6-14; Psalm 77: 1-2 & 11-20; Galatians 5:1 & 13-25; and Luke 9: 51-62. "It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don't use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that's how freedom grows. For everything we know about God's Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. that's an act of true freedom. If you bite and ravage each other, watch out--in no time at all you will be annihilating each other, and where will your precious freedom be then?" Galatians 5: 13-15
This week's passage from Paul's letter to the Galatians provides several instructions on how to live a God-like life. God has given us freedom to choose our life style. In verse 23, Paul invites us to take on the fruits of the Spirit: love, peace, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control as behaviors that signify that we are allowing God to guide our actions. The key to accomplishing this God-filled life seems to hinge on relying on God for guidance in all our choices and living out the commandment to love one another. When we choose to love, our actions and behaviors become more God-like.
At first reading, the freedom idea seems great. "You can choose any behavior or activity you desire." But then Paul shares the "rest of the story". "Be prepared: if you choose to live without God--you will have a life filled with all manner of negative emotions and heartache." In verses 19-21, Paul warns of results that occur when we try to get our own way all the time and that if we continue to use our freedom to live only as we choose, we will not inherit God's kingdom. God gives us freedom and with the freedom to choose, we must understand that there will be dire consequences when we choose to ignore the commandment to love one another.
I don't know about you, but my daily walk usually starts out with all good intentions for making wise use of my freedom of choice, but when I examine it at the end of the day, I am highly disappointed and I'm sure God is also. Loving my neighbor is easy enough for my friends and family, but what did I do for those not in my "inner circle"? It has been said that what we spend the most time and money on are the things that we value the most. My lack of regard for following God's will for my life shows up in my checkbook and debit card receipts. God is asking me to examine my DAILY choices.
Freedom is not easy. Freedom is not to be ignored or taken for granted, either. And it seems that the more we struggle with our personal freedoms and when and how we should be protecting other's freedoms, we begin to see how living a God-like life requires a greater effort on our part. We live in a very "connected" world. But are we connected to God and have we listened for His voice of guidance? Are we connected to the needs of those in our backyards? Have we noticed those around us who are not free to make their own choices because of poverty, infirmity or the prison of a lifetime of poor choices? What is God calling us to do with these observations? How can we "love our neighbor" a little better each day?
Paul says in verses 25 and 26: "Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. that means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original." (The Message)
Dear Gracious and Loving God, you have provided all the tools to guide our behaviors and you call us daily to listen to your guidance. We thank you for the bounty of love that you shower on us without reserve and the freedom to choose our path. We are heartily sorry for all our missed choices to serve one another in love. Please forgive our negligence and selfishness. Help us to make better choices each day that serve to increase our connectedness to you and to ALL our neighbors. AMEN.
This week's passage from Paul's letter to the Galatians provides several instructions on how to live a God-like life. God has given us freedom to choose our life style. In verse 23, Paul invites us to take on the fruits of the Spirit: love, peace, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control as behaviors that signify that we are allowing God to guide our actions. The key to accomplishing this God-filled life seems to hinge on relying on God for guidance in all our choices and living out the commandment to love one another. When we choose to love, our actions and behaviors become more God-like.
At first reading, the freedom idea seems great. "You can choose any behavior or activity you desire." But then Paul shares the "rest of the story". "Be prepared: if you choose to live without God--you will have a life filled with all manner of negative emotions and heartache." In verses 19-21, Paul warns of results that occur when we try to get our own way all the time and that if we continue to use our freedom to live only as we choose, we will not inherit God's kingdom. God gives us freedom and with the freedom to choose, we must understand that there will be dire consequences when we choose to ignore the commandment to love one another.
I don't know about you, but my daily walk usually starts out with all good intentions for making wise use of my freedom of choice, but when I examine it at the end of the day, I am highly disappointed and I'm sure God is also. Loving my neighbor is easy enough for my friends and family, but what did I do for those not in my "inner circle"? It has been said that what we spend the most time and money on are the things that we value the most. My lack of regard for following God's will for my life shows up in my checkbook and debit card receipts. God is asking me to examine my DAILY choices.
Freedom is not easy. Freedom is not to be ignored or taken for granted, either. And it seems that the more we struggle with our personal freedoms and when and how we should be protecting other's freedoms, we begin to see how living a God-like life requires a greater effort on our part. We live in a very "connected" world. But are we connected to God and have we listened for His voice of guidance? Are we connected to the needs of those in our backyards? Have we noticed those around us who are not free to make their own choices because of poverty, infirmity or the prison of a lifetime of poor choices? What is God calling us to do with these observations? How can we "love our neighbor" a little better each day?
Paul says in verses 25 and 26: "Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. that means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original." (The Message)
Dear Gracious and Loving God, you have provided all the tools to guide our behaviors and you call us daily to listen to your guidance. We thank you for the bounty of love that you shower on us without reserve and the freedom to choose our path. We are heartily sorry for all our missed choices to serve one another in love. Please forgive our negligence and selfishness. Help us to make better choices each day that serve to increase our connectedness to you and to ALL our neighbors. AMEN.
Chyrl Budd
1 comment:
Cheryl,
Thank you for spending the time to write such a thought provoking devotion.I really like the challenges you leave with us and the encouragement to be more loving.
Maudie
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