Living in the Spirit

September 12, 2021

Scripture Reading: Mark 8:27-38

He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.’ –Mark 8:34-48

As I observe adults in our world today, I am often reminded of what has been dubbed the terrible twos.

Two-year-olds undergo major motor, intellectual, social and emotional changes. Also, children at this age can understand much more speech than they can express — a factor that contributes to emotions and behaviors that are difficult for parents to interpret.

Two-year-olds are struggling with their reliance on their parents and their desire for independence. They’re eager to do things on their own, but they’re beginning to discover that they’re expected to follow certain rules. The difficulty of this normal development can lead to inappropriate behavior, frustration, out-of-control feelings and tantrums*.

Jesus’ statements, in the above scripture, address this point of development. When we can set living like Christ as our priority, everything else falls into its rightful place. God wants all of God’s children to have enough of the necessities of life to fulfill their calling as Christ-followers using all their gifts. When some are exceptionally gifted more is expected of them. It does not mean they are better than anyone else. While there will always be different levels of wealth, the point at which anyone’s wealth crosses over into greed they lose their connection to following Christ. The same is true of power. Our self-righteous use of power endangers others causing us to fail to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.  Thus, we fail God, too.

Prayer: Lord, we are afraid of what we do not understand. We cannot put into words how that impacts us. When we feel out of control, reassure us that you are in control and grant us the knowledge of your righteousness to guide our behavior. Amen.

*https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/expert-answers/terrible-twos/faq-20058314

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 America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.