Apologies for the lame picture, but the sunset took my breath away. The issue in taking the picture became, walking a dog, perspiring and handling my phone. Thankfully, chewing gum did not enter this debacle. Without a doubt, if I had been slated with only one of these tasks, the picture could have captured the beauty.
Perspective
Now, here’s a sunset. Perspective. Beautifully captured, lovingly set. Unlike my photo, there was time, effort and space given to take this gorgeous shot. Indeed, my picture was given all of two seconds of thought and bam, I am now sharing it with you.
Both pictures have now been shared with you and you now can enjoy them and go about your merry way.
Wait….
Without a doubt, both pictures capture a moment in time and have value. I have memories tied with that moment now as well as the artist has with his.
Each of our voices has value and has merit, as children of God, we are in a time to learn, discover and allow ourselves to be humble. Can we do this? Can we listen? Can we stop and hear the voices of the people around us?
No…
Here’s an easy way for me to check myself first. My spirit. Especially when issues arise that are uncomfortable for me or are in areas where I lack knowledge, do I respond with an automatic NO?
Then, it is time for me to stop, do more research, listen and sit in the hard. My job in life is not to say, “you’re wrong”.
Ephesians 4
So I, the prisoner for the Lord, appeal to you to live a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called [that is, to live a life that exhibits godly character, moral courage, personal integrity, and mature behavior—a life that expresses gratitude to God for your salvation], 2 with all humility [forsaking self-righteousness], and gentleness [maintaining self-control], with patience, bearing with one another [a]in [unselfish] love. 3 Make every effort to keep the oneness of the Spirit in the bond of peace [each individual working together to make the whole successful]. 4 There is one body [of believers] and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when called [to salvation]— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of us all who is [sovereign] over all and [working] through all and [living] in all.
Amplified Bible (AMP)Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.
Let’s break it down
- live a life worthy of the calling you have
- godly character
- moral courage
- personal integrity
- mature behavior
- humility
- gentleness-patience
- bearing with one another in unselfish love
- keep the one of Spirit in the bond of peace
One
- One body of believers
- One Spirit
- One hope
- One Lord
- One faith
- One baptism
- One God and Father of us all who is sovereign over all
Don’t know about you
Recently, in a podcast, it was noted that the men and women Paul slaughtered in the name of God met him in heaven. Who have I disagreed and put down and messed with in the name of Christ? It is a challenging thought for me and I hope for you.
Whatever the trigger words, the Lord, to my knowledge has not made a separate heaven. The body of Christ will be in heaven together. The fights, the struggles, the ripping apart that occurs daily on social media, friends, God has given us one final place.
Do I know where my teachers are taught?
In full disclosure, friends, let’s do our research well. When we listen to voices online, have we fact checked them? Have we researched them? Do we know how they have found THEIR wisdom? Let us be careful. We have told our kids this over and over. Forgive the Harry Potter quote, but it works here.
“Ginny!” said Mr. Weasley, flabbergasted. “Haven’t I taught you anything? What have I always told you? Never trust anything that can think for itself if you can’t see where it keeps its brain?”
J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Let us be very careful who we follow. Let us be very careful who we listen. Let us be very careful how we spend our time. If, as Mr. Weasley said, you can’t see where they keep their brain, maybe we should be careful in listening to the content.
Wise as serpents
16 “Listen carefully: I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; so be wise as serpents, and innocent as doves [have no self-serving agenda]. 17 Beware of men [whose nature is to act in opposition to God], for they will hand you over to the courts and flog you in their synagogues; 18 and you will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given you within that [very] hour; 20 for it is not you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Amplified Bible (AMP)Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.
We take this out of context. Wise as serpents. Let’s make sure we understand Jesus was talking about how we will act in front of persecution. So, friends, when we are talking about wise and innocent, friends, this isn’t how we are to be with the body of Christ.
Refer back up to Ephesians.
Peace and love.
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