Living in the Spirit

June 11, 2021.

Scripture Reading:
2 Corinthians 5:6-10, (11-13), 14-17

For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them.

From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! –2 Corinthians 5:14-17

Ah, but do we regard no one from a human point of view? Is that even possible humans that we are? There is an intentionality to being a Christ-follower. It requires us to deal with that which stands in the way of our loving God and loving our neighbor as ourselves. Mother Teresa said, If you judge people, you have no time to love them. Following Christ demands that we become new creations. For most of us, that is a gradual process as the Spirit enters our lives when we open ourselves to such guidance. Like Elijah, how often in the chaos of life must we quiet ourselves to perceive that still small voice* showing the right path or like with Elijah healing our souls when we feel pushed to our limits.  

This year will always be associated with the COVID pandemic. We have seen humans from all walks of life responding in fear and with courage. At first, I was taken aback by thinking the best thing I could do was stay home, avoid people, practice good hygiene. A year later, and uncountable Zoom meetings, I have adjusted to a new way of being. I felt a little strange when my church reopened. I rather enjoyed the live stream services, which we will continue as we return to in-person worship. We discovered that shut-ins benefited from those services, and we gained some younger new participants who felt at ease with the electronic church. Everything has become new, and we have learned to appreciate more what we are carrying forward.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for walking with us as we learn the new we are encountering. Amen.

* See 1 Kings 19:11-13

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.