“So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” Galatians 5:16, NIV
When you wake up in the morning, what thoughts go through your mind? Do you thank God for life and another day to experience the joy of whatever he has waiting for you? Or, do you dread the hours ahead of you, doing the same thing you did yesterday and wondering if tomorrow will be more of the same? Friend, if you can read this writing, then God has blessed you beyond all measure.
The Lord created you and me with a deep longing for purpose. Whatever we do that spreads the fruit of God’s Spirit with others is our purpose in this world, and where we share it matters not! I want to propose a challenge for all of us this coming week. Much of what gets posted onto social media sites is negative. Sadly, some people when they wake up in the mornings are miserable and desire to make those around them miserable too. As much as it depends on you (and me) beginning today, ask before you say or post anything, will my words edify or will they fan the flames of unrest? Are my words kind, gracious, and loving? Or, do my words provoke dissension, discord, and anger? If they are the latter and you hit the “send button” knowingly, and hoping to incite others, then I ask you to reconsider your decision before you hit that button.
On occasion, I turn on my television; lately, it seems as though there are a lot of angry people in the world. We can’t possibly control other people, but the incredible power we do have is to control ourselves by what we say and what we do. The Holy Spirit wants to use you and me to bring peace into our world. Who else is there? The choice is ours, each one of us! Wherever we go, we can leave places better or worse because we’ve been there, whether in person or online.
To be true to who we really are in Christ Jesus, we can’t claim to bring unity, and then, antagonize others at the same time. My heart breaks for the current social and political “climate” in our world; I’m sure yours does too. I pray that God will help us make the right choices or convict us immediately when we don’t.
God bless you and those whose lives you will touch today!
“Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?” James 3:11, NIV