THANKFUL

Chatting with Jesus

Friday, September 15, 2023

Lord, for the most part, those who belong to you behave in ways that honor you and present a good light in this world of darkness. Most are identified as Christ followers without publicly stating so, their lives exemplifying you. But we are still humans trapped in this broken world, and as your followers, we often fail to live in your will.

Your Word reminds us that one of your guidelines to doing your will is to be “gentle at all times.”.

“But the wisdom from above [knowing God’s will] is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere” (James 3:17 NLT).

This command to be gentle may be the hardest to attain if we are to fulfill your will. Believers with strong Type ‘A’ personalities must have to order their will to comply with your will, Lord. How many times have I reacted in “not so gentle” ways, that probably made others think if this is an example of a Christ follower—no, thank you. Lord, help me.

It is not your will, for your followers to demand our way or the highway. Bullying and belittling others has no place in your Kingdom.  The Scriptures contain hundreds of verses to help us react gently, especially when unjustly provoked. Oh, that I would pay heed. Certainly, there are times when raising our voice is necessary to get a handle on a situation. We all face this at some time, just as you did, Jesus.

Fulfilling your will, Lord, means learning to love as you love, especially learning to love those who react in “not so gentle ways.”  Amen, Jesus.