Living in the Spirit
Scripture Reading: James 3:13 – 4:3, 7-8a
Those conflicts and disputes among you, where do they come from? Do they not come from your cravings that are at war within you? You want something and do not have it; so you commit murder. And you covet something and cannot obtain it; so you engage in disputes and conflicts. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. –James 4:3, 7-8
This Scripture hits a little too close to home in our world today. We are all tempted to want our cake and eat it too. We do not care enough about ourselves and our neighbors to take the most straightforward precautions of wearing a mask, washing our hands, and socially distancing—let alone get vaccinated. What drives us to cross the line away from loving God and loving our neighbor as we love ourselves to self-righteousness and transient self-satisfaction? Have we lost or perhaps sold our ability to love and be loved to the distractions of the world?
Love is as essential as food to thrive in our world.
Interpersonal acceptance and rejection theory (IPARTheory) predicts that perceived parental acceptance (love) and rejection (lack of love) have universal consequences on children’s and adults’ psychological adjustment and maladjustment*.
When we love money, power, or anything else more than God, we become so mired in greed that we cannot even love ourselves, much less God or others. We all get caught in such snares at one time or another. Thus, we must routinely examine our motivations and responses to life situations. For example, when I worked long hours at sometimes hopeless activities, I would drive through a fast-food place on my way home and grab a reasonably healthy sandwich for dinner. If my situation continued to be challenging, I began doing this every day. Each day or so, I added something else. Eventually, I ordered a burger with double meat, double cheese, a large order of fries, and a large shake. I was trying to feed my soul with the food of the world. Reestablish my relationship with God was the only means of healing my soul. Going straight home passing the fast-food place was a start. Drinking a large glass of water refreshed my body and helped too. Listening to some of my favorite hymns while walking in my house or on my elliptical gave me rest for my weary soul, after which I could enjoy food that would better nourish my body. What have you done for your soul today?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the gift of music that soothes my soul and reengages me with you. Amen.
*https://www.hilarispublisher.com/open-access/worldwide-implications-of-parental-love-and-lack-of-love-on-childrensand-adults-psychological-adjustment-and-maladjustment-metaana-2471-271X-1000150.pdf
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.