Living in the Spirit
October 2, 2018
Scripture Reading: Job 1:1, 2:1-10
So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord, and inflicted loathsome sores on Job from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. Job took a potsherd with which to scrape himself, and sat among the ashes.
Then his wife said to him, ‘Do you still persist in your integrity? Curse God, and die.’ But he said to her, ‘You speak as any foolish woman would speak. Shall we receive the good at the hand of God, and not receive the bad?’ In all this Job did not sin with his lips. –Job 2:9-10
I followed a dear friend out of church yesterday as he shuffled dragging uncooperative Parkinson’s afflicted feet behind a walker. I had just consulted him about an issue with my house and received his wise, expert recommendations. We were leaving a dinner where I had arrived late finding the closest vacant chair. It was fortuitous for me to find a seat next to my friend as I had been intending to call him for advice about my house issue and just never thought of it when I could call. I did not think of that, however, as I joined the table of these friends. They were sharing a conversation about sports. They also were nearly finished eating as I began my lunch. While I ate, I observed the comradery of people who were comfortable with each other and who respected the insights and joy at favored teams winning games along with concern about the USA not doing well at the Rider Cup. There is much more to life than loathsome sores or Parkinson’s ravages. Loving one’s neighbor includes loving them in the good times and through the bad.
The Integrity to Be Friends
By John Tiong Chunghoo
put two stones
as close to each other
as you can.
put two men too,
close to each other.
what’s the similarity?
if both do not have
the integrity to
really understand
each other for the
common good,
two million years
from now they
would still be as good
as – mere stones.
Prayer: Lord, grant us the integrity to really understand each other for the common good. Amen.