Reaping What We Sow
A reading for Wednesday, June 1, 2016: Galatians 6:1-10.
Let's face it, "working for the benefit of all" can be exhausting. Human beings are independent minded creatures, often failing to obey the basic elements of a healthy and happy life. When we find that someone we know has committed an offense, then the Apostle Paul wants us to approach that person with a spirit of gentleness coming from the Spirit. He wants us to restore that person to faithfulness by doing what's right by the person. In humility and without pride, Paul says we are to be servants of one another so that each of us can live the life God intends for us in community. For indeed we "reap what we sow." But it can be tiring... No?
However, there might come a time when we need to be restored. There likely will be a time when we will stray and we will depend on someone else to come to us and help. How do we want them to do that? With gentleness and compassion? Don't we want to be reminded that we are important enough to fight for? That's what it means to be part of a community. It's one thing to be part of the community when everything is going well, but what about the times when there is stress and strain. We don't want others to give up on us. We want others in our community of faith to come for us and never to leave us behind.
So maybe today is the day to do what's right by another person, so that someday we might benefit from another doing right by us? Don't give up. Don't quit. Remember, we "reap what we sow."
Let's face it, "working for the benefit of all" can be exhausting. Human beings are independent minded creatures, often failing to obey the basic elements of a healthy and happy life. When we find that someone we know has committed an offense, then the Apostle Paul wants us to approach that person with a spirit of gentleness coming from the Spirit. He wants us to restore that person to faithfulness by doing what's right by the person. In humility and without pride, Paul says we are to be servants of one another so that each of us can live the life God intends for us in community. For indeed we "reap what we sow." But it can be tiring... No?
However, there might come a time when we need to be restored. There likely will be a time when we will stray and we will depend on someone else to come to us and help. How do we want them to do that? With gentleness and compassion? Don't we want to be reminded that we are important enough to fight for? That's what it means to be part of a community. It's one thing to be part of the community when everything is going well, but what about the times when there is stress and strain. We don't want others to give up on us. We want others in our community of faith to come for us and never to leave us behind.
So maybe today is the day to do what's right by another person, so that someday we might benefit from another doing right by us? Don't give up. Don't quit. Remember, we "reap what we sow."
Comments
Post a Comment