Living in the Spirit
September 25, 2015

Scripture Reading: Mark 9:38-50

‘If any of you put a stumbling-block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell., And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell, where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched. –Mark 9:42-48

I think this scripture is more about real-time, today-time hell then it is about some future punishment. It is about the decisions we make and the living hell that can result when we make shortsighted, instant gratification choices without thought of the long-term consequences.

I live this truth every day regarding eating right and exercising. I have osteoarthritis in my major joints and if I do not walk and stretch every day my body stiffens more and more. I have one artificial knee and will most likely have another someday. For every extra pound of weight I carry I add four additional pounds of pressure on that knee hastening its destruction.

Isn’t that also an apt description of what happens when we do not care for our relationships and treat them as precious, worthy of our investment of time and attention? It is also true regarding our souls and our relationship with God.

Prayer: O Lord, keep us mindful of our commitments to caring for ourselves, soul and all, as well as caring for one another. Protect us from our own desires that are damaging to us and to those who really matter in life including you. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.