Hello
The year is almost done, but we’ve been blessed to be here for the duration. Thanks be to God. Let us pray for access to antiretroviral (hope I got that right) drugs for those combating HIV and AIDS. We also place the families of those afflicted in God’s hands. Lord, may the stigma be removed.
Here’s today’s Holy Nougatâ„¢
That which is altogether just shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live, and inherit the land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee. Deuteronomy 16:20 ASV
I’ve noticed that YouTube, Facebook and Twitter carry “followings”, which are intended to help us keep abreast of what persons are doing/posting. Having a following has its merits, I’m sure, although at times I wonder whether it is likely to incline us to think more highly or less favorably of ourselves than we need to, simply because we’ve midplaced our trust in popular opinion.
But the real issue isn’t so much who follows us; rather it is about who and what we follow (Paul says follow me as I follow Christ). And today, we’re reminded that our choices impact our permanent residency and citizenship. For those of us who would seek to establish our citizenship in Heaven, we are encouraged to attend carefully to what we imbibe.
This does not mean we cloister ourselves and avoid that which isn’t godly. It does mean that we filter what becomes our social diet; more so, our spiritual diet. When worded in that vein, can we honestly say we ” follow ” Christ? Have we made God our number one focus? Have we been feasting on the Word of God for our spiritual, social and moral development? If yes, can others see the fruit and be inclined to “follow” us? And the fruit of our labor, how do others benefit? Is there room in our following of God for the outcast and stigmatised, such as those living with HIV and AIDS? What about the poor? Any room for them, it are they outside of God’s justice?
Let’s follow Christ’s justice si that the kingdom of heaven could be present for a thirsting, dying soul.
May God’s grace draw us closer today and beyond.
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
