Living in the Spirit
June 18, 2015
Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 6:1-13
As we work together with him, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says,
‘At an acceptable time I have listened to you,
and on a day of salvation I have helped you.’
See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation! –2 Corinthians 6:1-2
I stepped on the scales this morning as I do every morning and was dismayed at what I saw. You see I had a crazy day of eating yesterday. Very busy all day I was part of a team serving a big reception with mountains of food. I did not have time to really stop and eat, and although the reception had healthy food, I knocked my whole system out of whack with too much sugar, no doubt too many calories, and not enough water. It will take a few days for my body to return to normal. I have a bad habit though of letting such a one day indulgence turn into license to drift into routine bad habits. Now, however, is the acceptable time, not tomorrow or next week, for me to return to a healthy routine for living.
In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul is applying this same phenomenon to our spiritual lives. There are many things that distract us from practicing our spiritual disciplines of prayer, study, worship, service, meditation, or whatever is best suited for our own spiritual growth and development. The reception I attended followed a wonderful spiritual experience but today is the acceptable time to return to the routine opportunities for communion with God.
Although waiting for God is an ancient and worthwhile practice of faith, procrastination is not a spiritual discipline.
Prayer: Lord, when I am weak help me hold fast to your strength. Amen.