Romans 13:9
In the Law there are many
commands, such as, “Be faithful in marriage. Do not murder. Do not
steal. Do not want what belongs to others.” But all of these are summed
up in the command that says, “Love others as much as you love yourself.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
One
of the best – and possibly the worst – inventions to come into my life
in a while is the smart phone. This device is all in one…telephone,
computer, camera, e-reader, and more. I can shop online with it, get my
weather forecast and check local radar, receive alerts about everything
from flash floods to the latest sale at my favorite clothing store,
read dozens of newspapers and magazines, and map my next trip. If both
parties have FaceTime, it is even possible to “see” who I am talking
with while we converse. This little device that almost fits into the
palm of my hand has simplified and enhanced my life in countless
ways…and it is rarely far from my reach.
At the same time, the
phone has been a handicap, because I also spend a lot of time looking at
it…checking e-mail and social media or the local weather information.
So I will admit that we can use the phone for our benefit…or sometimes
for our detriment. Sometimes, it’s good to pick up a book or a
newspaper and read the printed word. We need to engage in one-on-one
conversations with others…and go outside and check the weather for
ourselves. The smart phone is not intended to completely replace these
things…but rather to tie them all together neatly to our advantage.
In
the same way, the command to “Love others as much as you love yourself”
is all encompassing. This doesn’t mean that we no longer care about
the Ten Commandments…or any of Jesus’ teachings in scripture. This
doesn’t replace the charge to “honor your mother and father” or to
“remember the Sabbath.” Rather, this commandment ties everything
together in one directive that serves as a checkpoint for all thoughts,
words and actions.
All we have to do is stop and ask
ourselves…”Does this demonstrate love for others? Is my thought kind
and productive? Does what I am about to say or reflect how I would want
to be treated? Would I feel loved if someone said these things to
me…or acted in this manner toward me? Am I about to honor God in XYZ?
Will it bring glory to His name and show my respect and obedience?” If
we answer in the negative to any of these questions (and a host of
others), then we have OUR answer - and a change in our attitude and
action(s) is in order.
This command to “Love others as much as
you love yourself” is something like our “Heavenly smart phone.” If we
spend even a fraction of the time focused on it as we do our physical
electronic device, we will be far better for it. Have you checked yours
today?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label thinking things through. Show all posts
Showing posts with label thinking things through. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for June 28, 2014
Psalm 37:7
Be still in the presence of the Lord,
and wait patiently for him to act.
Don’t worry about evil people who prosper
or fret about their wicked schemes.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
The words “be still” are really not high on my vocabulary list! In my own defense, I grew up with a grandmother who would call and say, “there are peas and beans to be picked in the garden.” By the time my parents, siblings and I got to her farm to help, said peas or beans were already picked, shelled – and either put up in the freezer, or simmering in a pot on the stove alongside an all-out country dinner! My dad (her son) was one of these “if-you-want-that-fence-torn-down-then-show-me-where-to-put-the-remnants” …or “you’re-thinking-of-moving-so-I’ll-hook-my-trailer-to-the-truck” sort of guy.
Then I married someone who was more pensive and patient. Greg thinks things through…sometimes for days or weeks. He studies all of the angles and carefully weighs the outcomes. He can make split-second decisions…but he can also say, “Let’s not get in a hurry…there is no rush!” He is not an impulse buyer…nor does he have a quick temper. He has helped me to discover that while “The early bird gets the worm”…there is also wisdom in knowing that “Good things come to those who wait”!
As I have grown in my faith and my relationship with the Holy Spirit, I have come to understand the delicate balance of knowing when to act quickly, and when to “be still”. I will be the first in line to press the button when tickets go on sale for a James Taylor concert…but it may take me weeks or months to pick out a new laptop computer or a car. I may be one of the “first responders” when someone I know or care about is in need…but now, I may take a step back and prayerfully consider my response and/or reaction when someone offends me.
I have learned that evil people with wicked schemes don’t really prosper…even when it seems that they may – momentarily, at least. Name one person who truly “skirted by” his/her entire life without some sort of downfall or defeat. I don’t say this to imply that I wish anyone to suffer or to receive “just desserts”. I know plenty of “good people” who have suffered tremendous injustices while it seems that those who defy God at every turn seem to skate along. But I also know that not all rewards and blessings are visible and tangible in this earthly lifetime…nor are the consequences for bad behaviors.
And so, as I sit here with a cup of coffee and talk with you, I suggest that we all take time today – and every day – to “be still”…to consult God before we make decisions of all sizes, shapes and colors…and to wait patiently for His wise reply. Would you really rather have “the worm”…or the “good things” that come from waiting on the LORD? Are you ready to “be still and know” the difference?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Be still in the presence of the Lord,
and wait patiently for him to act.
Don’t worry about evil people who prosper
or fret about their wicked schemes.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
The words “be still” are really not high on my vocabulary list! In my own defense, I grew up with a grandmother who would call and say, “there are peas and beans to be picked in the garden.” By the time my parents, siblings and I got to her farm to help, said peas or beans were already picked, shelled – and either put up in the freezer, or simmering in a pot on the stove alongside an all-out country dinner! My dad (her son) was one of these “if-you-want-that-fence-torn-down-then-show-me-where-to-put-the-remnants” …or “you’re-thinking-of-moving-so-I’ll-hook-my-trailer-to-the-truck” sort of guy.
Then I married someone who was more pensive and patient. Greg thinks things through…sometimes for days or weeks. He studies all of the angles and carefully weighs the outcomes. He can make split-second decisions…but he can also say, “Let’s not get in a hurry…there is no rush!” He is not an impulse buyer…nor does he have a quick temper. He has helped me to discover that while “The early bird gets the worm”…there is also wisdom in knowing that “Good things come to those who wait”!
As I have grown in my faith and my relationship with the Holy Spirit, I have come to understand the delicate balance of knowing when to act quickly, and when to “be still”. I will be the first in line to press the button when tickets go on sale for a James Taylor concert…but it may take me weeks or months to pick out a new laptop computer or a car. I may be one of the “first responders” when someone I know or care about is in need…but now, I may take a step back and prayerfully consider my response and/or reaction when someone offends me.
I have learned that evil people with wicked schemes don’t really prosper…even when it seems that they may – momentarily, at least. Name one person who truly “skirted by” his/her entire life without some sort of downfall or defeat. I don’t say this to imply that I wish anyone to suffer or to receive “just desserts”. I know plenty of “good people” who have suffered tremendous injustices while it seems that those who defy God at every turn seem to skate along. But I also know that not all rewards and blessings are visible and tangible in this earthly lifetime…nor are the consequences for bad behaviors.
And so, as I sit here with a cup of coffee and talk with you, I suggest that we all take time today – and every day – to “be still”…to consult God before we make decisions of all sizes, shapes and colors…and to wait patiently for His wise reply. Would you really rather have “the worm”…or the “good things” that come from waiting on the LORD? Are you ready to “be still and know” the difference?
©2014 Debbie Robus
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