May we allow love to lead, even with our enemies

Balance

This morning’s prayer call for day 16 of the SEEK Fast with Alfred Street Baptist Church, Pastor Wesley paraphrased said sometimes we don’t want to hear what God is saying to us. Afterwards I reached out to my linesister who is on the fast with me, and I shared how the call and the focus resonated with me. I shared how I felt others were reaping from my fast. Now that I think of it, that’s my perspective right now, but how does God want me to see things? What is He working to tell me—to show me? So I told her today, my focus is going to be in silence as much as I can control. No gospel music, no sermons; just complete silence.

Now as I read the message for today, “Balance”, the writer begins by saying, “The more I age, the more know that the spiritual path—life viewed primarily through the prism of our meanings and values —must involve paradox, confusion, dead ends, and shadowed places that are often foul to behold. Any path that tries to avoid these will get us into trouble.” The author goes on to say, “As tempting as it may be, a life lived as if all were beautiful and happy… is a life doomed either to much unnecessary frustration or to ineffective and lightweight surface skimming.” This is a reminder that sometimes life will be uncomfortable. There will be ups and downs, happiness and sadness, love and heartbreak. Things will not go as we plan but according to God’s plan. As such, we will realize that those things less desirable will be lessons or blessings.

We are reminded at the end of today’s message, “Isn't the goal to embrace life just as it really is? And for that we need time of quiet, time with nothing to distract us, time for just being in the moment. Otherwise we may give in to avoiding or denying anything that we don't find easy or happy.” As the scripture from Luke 22:42 reads, “‘Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.’” This is right in alignment with this morning’s prayer and my desire to silence all around me and be in each moment to hear God and His will for me, even if it is not what I want to hear and to do.

FMBE Weekly Reading: Deuteronomy 29:1-9 “Keep the covenant my people”

“These are the words of the covenant that the Lord commanded Moses to make with the Israelites in the land of Moab, in addition to the covenant that he had made with them at Horeb. Moses summoned all Israel and said to them: You have seen all that the Lord did before your eyes in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land, the great trials that your eyes saw, the signs, and those great wonders. But to this day the Lord has not given you a mind to understand, or eyes to see, or ears to hear. I have led you forty years in the wilderness. The clothes on your back have not worn out, and the sandals on your feet have not worn out; you have not eaten bread, and you have not drunk wine or strong drink—so that you may know that I am the Lord your God. When you came to this place, King Sihon of Heshbon and King Og of Bashan came out against us for battle, but we defeated them. We took their land and gave it as an inheritance to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. Therefore diligently observe the words of this covenant, in order that you may succeed in everything that you do.”

As with this covenant, may we continue to work to renew our minds and actions to be obedient and remain faithful to what He is calling us to do and to be for ourselves and others.

Youversion Verse of the Day: 1 Peter 3:9

Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but, on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this that you were called—that you might inherit a blessing.

May we be reminded that we are blessed to be a blessing. Though others may come against us, let us remember that God has called us to be His examples of love on earth. As Martin Luther King, Jr. is quoted “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” May love and kindness lead us as we engage with friends and frenemies in life.

May we allow love to lead, even with our enemies, my friend.🙏🏽💚🦋🌈