Matthew 6:14
If you forgive others for their sins,
your Father in heaven will also
Forgive you for your sins.
“There seems to be a rising tide of bitterness in the country these days. The sides are slippery with resentment. A floor of muddy anger stills the feet. The stench of betrayal fills the air and stings the eyes. A cloud of self-pity blocks the view of the tiny exit above.” So begins the first paragraph of Max Lucado’s daily reading for July 5th in Grace for the Moment.
He goes on the talk about some facts like you’ve experienced enough hurt, you can choose to chain yourself to the hurt. Or you can choose, like some, to put away your hurts before they become hates. God reminds all of us that what we have is very often more important than what we don’t have; for instance, you have your relationship with God. No one can take that. That thinking does not negate the problems we are facing with virus concerns, social distancing, lack of justice, a growing realization that there’s a desperate need for leadership and direction, the faltering economy, etc. However, we can choose to look beyond those very real difficulties and adjust the focus.
Rueben P Job has written a neat little book entitled, Three Simple Rules, A Wesleyan Way of Living . The second rule is, “Do Good.” The Book of Discipline for us United Methodists defines that as, “By doing good; by being in every kind merciful after their power; as they have opportunity, doing good of every possible sort, and, as far as possible, to all…..” Many people have written that we are all in “this” together, and I believe that is true. So let’s do good by starting with the little things: a cup of cold water, holding a door, letting someone ahead in a line, making room for a car to merge, smiling, sharing a kind greeting, protecting the interests of others. Boy, won’t that begin to build up, change attitudes, bring a bit of sunshine [Sonshine] into our corner of the world. That’s my call for today. Find ways to do some good as we share the love of God we enjoy with those who need it.
Hymn #388 O Come and Dwell in Me
O come and dwell in me,
Spirit of power within,
and bring the glorious liberty
from sorrow, fear, and sin.
Merciful God help us to share our commitment to doing good in every opportunity that you bring to us. Lord Jesus continues to show us the way, and your Spirit will provide the called for responses. In grateful thanks, Amen.
Rev. David Brosnan
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