You have a choice. You can be evil or good. Both are possible for you. If you decide to curse God, brew poison, and kill another person, you can do it. If you want to live for God, control your emotions, and be a valuable member of the community, that can be yours as well. The capacity for either extreme is in you.
Young men and women work as servants in a great mansion. They are surrounded by valuable things made of gold and silver. The natural desire of these poorer servants is to have such things for themselves. Sometimes they steal, but ordinarily, they keep themselves in check. Because of fear of the consequences, they resist strong impulses to do the wrong thing.
An awareness of God is an even greater help in making better choices. It is entirely possible to keep God’s commandments. They are not beyond you. Other animals have little choice. Their behavior is fixed. Snakes bite. The wolf is ordinarily a hunter. All wolves are like this. Lambs and doves are harmless and do not engage in deception. It is different with people. One individual might be like a wolf—a predator. Another, lamblike, and victimized. Both belong to the same race of humans.
You will hear of a [person] who is unfaithful to [his/her] spouse. You will hear of another who is devoted. One person steals. Another person, touched by the love of God, gives generously to help others. Our human nature is pulled in two directions with more or less equal force. Whether it is for evil or good, our actions are made with our consent. Neither choice is forced on us. (4th Century Monk—Unknown).
An awareness of God is an even greater help in making better choices; therefore, cultivate an awareness of God in all things. Look for the ways God is working in you and in the world. Pray each morning for a sensitivity to God’s Spirit for the day. I like what the prophet Jeremiah said about God, “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:12, 13).
This Week’s Readings:
- Monday – 1 John 5
- Tuesday – 2 John 1
- Wednesday – 3 John 1
- Thursday – Revelation 1
- Friday – Revelation 2
- Families in crisis.
- Loved ones battling illness.
- Those seeking to find their way.
- The St. Paul Church family.
- The United Methodist Church.
- Our leaders, our country, and our world.
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.” – Philippians 4:6