Ephesians 4:25-5:2
To many the routine is the same. Wake up in a rush, hurry and do whatever chores you can, perhaps a kiss to everyone before you leave, drive, drive, drive, yell at a few fellow drivers, just the stupid ones of course, get to work, chug some coffee, deal with, maybe participate in some bad mouthing and gossip, play angry birds sitting on the corner of your desk, text, tweet, perhaps call home, cheat at work a little, run home, ferry kids to endless activities, grab a beer or two or three? head to bed. repeat, repeat, repeat, TGIF.
Is this the life we are called to ? Is this what we feel we have to do to keep up appearances and to find 'true happiness' suburban style?
The answer is NO! When we accept who we are and love with a thankful loving heart, even the 'tasks' that we must do are not angry and rushed, they are joyful and done with purpose and sincere intent. Anger dissipates, love prevails. It's not that you are restraining yourself, holding back anger, it's that you have no will to be part of a rat race that is not reflective of how you feel inside.
In the face of self joy, faith and love, we are called to live entirely different lives. We may have to do many of the same things all day but they take on new meaning. They are performed differently. You realize some things need not be done and perhaps should not be done. You are changed. You are at peace. Yelling, anger, gossiping all become wasted energy and anathema to your true being. Like the wise men who met (baby) Jesus and returned home via a different route, when we meet Jesus in faith and love, we continue our journey (in life) via a different route. We are changed. As it says in the Broadway show Wicked, ironically perhaps, We have been changed for the better.
If your life seems a jumble and filled with angst and anger, no time for the good stuff and thoughts of thankfulness elude you - it's time to reevaluate your life and get acquainted or re-acquainted with Jesus. We are meant for truly wonderful lives.
To many the routine is the same. Wake up in a rush, hurry and do whatever chores you can, perhaps a kiss to everyone before you leave, drive, drive, drive, yell at a few fellow drivers, just the stupid ones of course, get to work, chug some coffee, deal with, maybe participate in some bad mouthing and gossip, play angry birds sitting on the corner of your desk, text, tweet, perhaps call home, cheat at work a little, run home, ferry kids to endless activities, grab a beer or two or three? head to bed. repeat, repeat, repeat, TGIF.
Is this the life we are called to ? Is this what we feel we have to do to keep up appearances and to find 'true happiness' suburban style?
The answer is NO! When we accept who we are and love with a thankful loving heart, even the 'tasks' that we must do are not angry and rushed, they are joyful and done with purpose and sincere intent. Anger dissipates, love prevails. It's not that you are restraining yourself, holding back anger, it's that you have no will to be part of a rat race that is not reflective of how you feel inside.
In the face of self joy, faith and love, we are called to live entirely different lives. We may have to do many of the same things all day but they take on new meaning. They are performed differently. You realize some things need not be done and perhaps should not be done. You are changed. You are at peace. Yelling, anger, gossiping all become wasted energy and anathema to your true being. Like the wise men who met (baby) Jesus and returned home via a different route, when we meet Jesus in faith and love, we continue our journey (in life) via a different route. We are changed. As it says in the Broadway show Wicked, ironically perhaps, We have been changed for the better.
If your life seems a jumble and filled with angst and anger, no time for the good stuff and thoughts of thankfulness elude you - it's time to reevaluate your life and get acquainted or re-acquainted with Jesus. We are meant for truly wonderful lives.
So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbours, for we are members of one another. Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil. Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labour and work honestly with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy. Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, and be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
No comments:
Post a Comment