We’ve got your daily encouragement, written by Polly Barcol.
Bible Reading:
“Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”Hebrews 12:14
Word:
Hebrews tells us to “make every effort to live at peace with everyone…” If you are like me, you are probably wanting to tell the author – YOU DON’T KNOW THE WORLD WE LIVE IN! This world is all about our rights and specifically our right to our opinions. And everyone is sharing their opinion loud and clear! In a season of so much division, we see people wearing t-shirts, carrying flags, signs in their windows, etc. to make their stance clear. Social media is a minefield of opinions! Everyone is quick to point out how your opinion is not the right opinion, but their opinion is the right one. LOL. Crazy times!
How do we live at peace with our family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc. that have the opposite opinion? How do live like Jesus among people we whole-heartedly disagree with?
I believe the first step is not focusing on the disagreements but on Jesus’ love for them. I recently read a story how a class was asked to tell what they saw, and the teacher was showing a black dot on a white screen. Everyone said a black dot. But the teacher pointed out that no one mentioned the predominate visual before them. The white space!
We focus on the wrong things! As a Christ Follower, our focus can be an eternal one, not a temporal one (2 Corinthians 4:18). Most the things we disagree about and are causing tension are going to pass away. They are just details in a greater story, God’s story. We are called to be ambassadors of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). Let’s go to everyone in love with the hopes of reconciling them to Christ and encouraging them in Christ above all else. Then, we will be at peace and peace will flow from Christ within us.
Prayer:
Skillwork:
Ask Jesus to show you how He wants you to be His ambassador today. Then, listen.
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