If you were in worship this past Sunday, you may recall my speaking about not pointing fingers. I have been reflecting more about why we do some of the things we do such as blaming actions of others for our mistakes. It seems such a foolish thing to do. Why would we ever allow someone else’s poor choices, leading to their wrongdoing, to have such control over our lives?
When pride comes, then comes disgrace; but wisdom is with the humble.
Proverbs 11:2 (NRSV)
One place I have found an answer to my question of why is in Proverbs 11:2. How often have our angry reactions been sparked by pride? I suspect if we really do some soul searching, we would be forced to admit to ourselves this is the case far too frequently. Sometimes it is not even just pride in ourselves but rather in our allegiance to our family, a group where we belong (even a church), a political party, a country, a viewpoint, and the list goes on.
Yet one has but to read Micah 6:8 and know this is not what God requires.
He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the LORD require of you
but to do justice,
and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?
Micah 6:8 (ESV)
A devotional I was blessed to read this morning written by a colleague, Brian Berger, talks of the new way of life to which Christ calls us. Certainly, when we consider the teachings and the witness of the life of our LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ, we know that as Christians, as the body of Christ on earth at this time, we are called to be the new creation Christ suffered and died for us to become. Indeed, Christ calls us to a new way of life. May our response be, “Here I am, Lord!”
Shalom, Pastor Peggy