Day 81 of 90 Devotion

Dearest e-votees-

Day eighty-one of our cover to cover voyage through the Bible. We have completed Romans. (45 down, 21 to go) If you want to see the readings for our trip through the Bible you can follow this link:

www.christthegoodshep.org/biblein90days.html

Peace,
Karl

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Day 81 Readings: Romans 15:1-1 Corinthians 14:40

Included in today's reading is Paul's discussion about divisions in the church (see 1 Corinthians 3:15-15). Just a few days ago (Day 77) we had Jesus prayer for unity among believers. How is it that we are so quick to choose sides and factions and favorites in spite of the prayer of Jesus and in spite of the counsel of Paul?

Have you had someone (or some people) in your life who have truly and profoundly demonstrated Christ to you? Perhaps it was in the way they loved? Perhaps it was in the way the shared (generosity of things or experiences). Perhaps it was in the way that they spoke or how well they held their tongue. Perhaps in how they prayed or cared or lived. In some way the way they carried themselves carried Christ to you. Thanks be to God. If you can, I would encourage you to thank them. You must hold them in a special place in your heart. You would be rather inhuman if you did not.

Now suppose that another comes into your life and in some way takes their place. Perhaps it is a new pastor in place of the one who touched you so. Perhaps it is a new roommate replacing the one who showed you Christ so clearly. Some how, some way, by virtue of office or time or exposure or community this new one has come who, in your estimation, doesn't model Christ so clearly.

Isn't this how it happens? We make a profound connection with the one. With the other we find difficulty connecting. It may be something real. It might be something we create or perceive in our imagination. It might be that God has sent the second into our life as well but we would rather be where we were comfortable than where God has intentionally placed us.

The point is this. God is the one at work in us. If God chooses to work through people (as God so very often does) then that is God's choice but our reverence, allegiance and deepest affections are to be for God. If a church or a community or a relationship with God is built so squarely on a person (other than Jesus) so that when the person leaves or disappoints us (as will so often happen) the structure collapses than it was built on sand not solid rock.

That is Paul's point. That is Jesus' prayer. That is how we ought to be.


God, thank you for those who have shown us the way. Help us never allow others our ourselves to undermine or obscure The Way--Jesus. Amen.