Living in the Spirit
August 22, 2017
Scripture Reading: Exodus 1:8-2:10
Now a man from the house of Levi went and married a Levite woman. The woman conceived and bore a son; and when she saw that he was a fine baby, she hid him for three months. When she could hide him no longer she got a papyrus basket for him, and plastered it with bitumen and pitch; she put the child in it and placed it among the reeds on the bank of the river. His sister stood at a distance, to see what would happen to him. –Exodus 2:1-4
God provides leaders when people are ready to follow. I may be the only person in the world that loves the first chapter of the book of Acts. It tells the story of the Disciples recovering from the shock of Jesus’ death and resurrection, deciding it is time to do the work Jesus taught them, called them to do. Acts 1 is the report of a board meeting where a replacement member is selected and other mundane administrative tasks completed. Acts 2 reports the arrival of the Holy Spirit and Peter, yes the one who denied Christ, stepping up to the plate and saying let’s go. Exodus 2 is the story of a mother’s frantic attempt to save the life of her newborn son and what she saw happen over time with the realization of a leader for the ages, a man called Moses.
Every small, what might seem futile or insignificant advocacy work we do, primes the pump for greater things to come. Courageous leaders need steadfast, loyal followers. Politicians, particularly who go against the gerrymandered grain, need to know they have support. I, probably like you, grow weary of all the emails and texts that I receive every day that often are written in chicken-little language usually asking for money. We do need to pick our battles. If we can afford it, we need to provide financial support as we deem wise. We cannot just sit back, wring our hands and say, “What a shame.”
Living in such a time as these demands a closer more intimate relationship with Christ. We must not give in to bullies who challenge us to respond in the same way they act. We defeat our purpose when we do. When Jesus said to love one another, he meant it regarding all God’s children. We may make mistakes along the way, but with a commitment to following Jesus’ way and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we can set an example of love that is stronger than any hate.
Prayer: God grant me the ability to love like Jesus in such a time as these. Amen.