Thursday, January 01, 2004
New Years Ruminations
Jesus calls us to be light and salt and leaven.
How do we do this?
What matters?
I started this blog with the answer Malachi gives us: to love mercy, to act justly, to walk humbly with God. Jesus himself reiterates the concept all through his sermons. How often to forgive? seven times seventy. How to behave? Just look at the parable of the good samaritan, look at the widow who gave the little she had, look at the faith of the Centurion or the woman who touched the hem of Jesus' robe. Jesus shows us the way himself, with his prayer life, his willingness to suffer, to give away everything to save us.
I think Mother Teresa's approach is best. To do all our stuff in the name of Jesus, like we were doing it for Jesus, through the power of Jesus.
It doesn't have to be the big, in your face politically earthshattering stuff. It starts with growing close to God, with a prayerlife that puts you into touch with him. Then it goes to those around you. Who knows there that soft word and smile will take another person. It comes through getting outside of yourself, to see the need in others, and being willing to do whatever. Give that drink of water. Hold back that hard word. Remember to call someone you hadn't talked with for awhile. Step by step, prayer by prayer, word by word, you will spread the peace of God. After that, it is up to God!
Jesus calls us to be light and salt and leaven.
How do we do this?
What matters?
I started this blog with the answer Malachi gives us: to love mercy, to act justly, to walk humbly with God. Jesus himself reiterates the concept all through his sermons. How often to forgive? seven times seventy. How to behave? Just look at the parable of the good samaritan, look at the widow who gave the little she had, look at the faith of the Centurion or the woman who touched the hem of Jesus' robe. Jesus shows us the way himself, with his prayer life, his willingness to suffer, to give away everything to save us.
I think Mother Teresa's approach is best. To do all our stuff in the name of Jesus, like we were doing it for Jesus, through the power of Jesus.
It doesn't have to be the big, in your face politically earthshattering stuff. It starts with growing close to God, with a prayerlife that puts you into touch with him. Then it goes to those around you. Who knows there that soft word and smile will take another person. It comes through getting outside of yourself, to see the need in others, and being willing to do whatever. Give that drink of water. Hold back that hard word. Remember to call someone you hadn't talked with for awhile. Step by step, prayer by prayer, word by word, you will spread the peace of God. After that, it is up to God!
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