daily spiritual reflection - mar. 22

daily spiritual reflection

BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY: 

 ¹ Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, ² to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone. ³ At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. ⁴ But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, ⁵ he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. ⁸ This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
 ⁹ But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. ¹⁰ Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. ¹¹ You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.(Paul's letter to Titus 3:1-10)

THOUGHT: Obedience and authority can be tricky issues in our culture today.  Whether it's dictators we hear about in the news or unfair TAs or parental figures, our society struggles with how we relate to authority.  Paul's letter to Titus provides a strategy of doing good in response to authority and rulers.  He also suggests that Titus' community be peaceable and gentle.  Often, that's the hardest thing to do in light of conflict.  Yet, people like Martin Luther King, Jr. and Gandhi pursued goodness in light of opposition as both were inspired by Jesus' love of peace.  It's easy to applaud their testimonies while still ignoring how to deal with the pricks and poking we regularly get from Yale's culture.  Some of this jostling includes arguments that are more about ego than what's right, the verbal slamming of other people or groups, and the division that comes from self-justification.  Paul says Jesus' mercy, a free gift, should encourage us to do good.  Namely, this free gift propels us to extend the free gift of mercy to others even when others hurt us or even when we think we're right.  Through the Holy Spirit, this gift giving becomes more of who we are and we simply practice living into our true selves instead of condemning ourselves from a lack of progress.

CHALLENGE:  Decide today to be a peacemaker in a conversation that is becoming quarrelsome or divisive.  Ask what's at stake to allow people to get things on the table.  Try to take away the "carrot stick" of who's right by affirming aspects on multiple sides while asking a different question (potentially a question you feel Jesus would ask) that starts a new plane of conversation.  Above all, seek peace in relationships and ask yourself where someone else's authority or their divisive presence has led you to feel enslaved or trapped.  Ask God how he wants to free you from that.  As you seek to live out this life of goodness, also ask God if you have been a bad authority in the past.  Take time to receive his gentleness and peace in order to model good leadership.