Living in the Spirit

July 19, 2023

Scripture Reading: Wisdom of Solomon 12:13, 16-19

For neither is there any god besides you, whose care is for all people,
to whom you should prove that you have not judged unjustly;
For your strength is the source of righteousness,
and your sovereignty over all causes you to spare all.
For you show your strength when people doubt the completeness of your power,
and you rebuke any insolence among those who know it.
Although you are sovereign in strength, you judge with mildness,
and with great forbearance you govern us;
for you have power to act whenever you choose. –Solomon 12:13, 16-18

For neither is there any god besides you, whose care is for all people; this scripture is important in our day as we castigate individuals for being what God created them to be. Others suffer from diseases that set them apart for shame or ridicule. Why do we feel the need to belittle others? Does it make us feel better about ourselves? We are commanded by God to love God and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. I have concluded that we mistreat and miss frame others because we do not, for whatever reason, love ourselves. We think that for us to be people of worth, we must be better than someone else. That simply is not true. God created all in his image. Some work at being misfits, I assume, because they think it will draw attention they desperately need, whether good or bad. That, too, is a way of not loving oneself.

Spend some time praying and meditating, asking God, do I love myself, and what does it mean to love myself?

Prayer: Lord, help us to understand what it means to love ourselves so we can follow your commandment to love others. 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 America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.