Hi dear
In our desire to live ‘right’, how much effort do we give to God’s plans and purposes for us? Consider today’s Holy Nougat
“What can we bring to the Lord? Should we bring him burnt offerings? Should we bow before God Most High with offerings of yearling calves? No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:6, 8 NLT
Unless the sacrifice is actually a gift of ourselves, God’s deep-seated desire is for us to check our attitudes and selfishness at the door. In fact, I suspect that God would rather that they get forever sacrificed so there is room for living God’s way.
- Do Right – doing right already implies that there is a wrong way to do and be. In seasons such as these, where the pressures of lockdown, unemployment, potential contagion (and contamination) and busy-ness are paramount, doing wrong is tempting. For there are several points of justification for our behavior, including emotional stress. But, before we do; think, pray, check with God – are we operating according to God’s plans? How might our actions inculcate positive transformation in a dying and broken world?
- Love Mercy – Mercy is hard sometimes. One writer describes it as Love that responds to human need (Matthew Schmalz). I agree. Mercy is undeserved, and doesn’t expect compensation. Today, I invite us to consider the needs of someone other than ourselves; especially if the person doesn’t ‘deserve’ or earn our response. If we can, let us try for anonymity.
- Walk Humbly – So much has happened in recent months that may have humbled us, financially and physically, if not spiritually. I pray that our response was not to respond in anger to that which/one who is weaker than we are. Godly humility is more than just acknowledging that we are not overcome by pride; it begins with the overwhelming sense of being loved by God despite our best, normal and worst moments and thus accepting ourselves for who we are in Christ. Doug Britton, a marriage therapist, suggests that when we grasp that sense of our spiritual identity; putting others first becomes our priority. This is true, provided we don’t overdo it (by venerating others even above God). Put simply, I’d propose that walking humbly is the ability to know our worth to and in Christ, then daring to see Christ in others and affirming them. Is there someone who needs affirmation of their worth today?
God’s plans almost always includes our interactions with others. And usually asks that we engage with them from a human AND spiritual vantage point. How many wrongs would not have occurred had us who are In and Of Christ walked according to God’s plans!
May God’s plans be our desire for living right today and always. In Christ’s love and grace . . .
