Living in the Spirit
September 27, 2016

Scripture Reading: Lamentations 1:1-6

Judah has gone into exile with suffering and hard servitude;
she lives now among the nations, and finds no resting-place;
her pursuers have all overtaken her in the midst of her distress.  

The roads to Zion mourn, for no one comes to the festivals;
all her gates are desolate, her priests groan;
her young girls grieve, and her lot is bitter. –Lamentations 1:3-4

Exile did not have to happen. There was ample warning. People are people whether in 586 BCE or 2016 CE. We hear what we want to hear and trust those who promise what we want even if it means our ruin. The people of Judah longed for a savior and put their faith in empty vestals.

In 2016, 2,000 years after the Savior came, we still want more. We are as unwilling to accept our part in bringing about the Kingdom of God as were our ancestors in the faith in 586 BCE. God created people with intelligence and the ability to diagnose and solve problems. God gave us the choice of whether to use these gifts for good or evil. Some still choose to burn their gifts on altars to other gods.

Jesus calls us to offer our gifts to the glory of God. As we attempt to live into his invitation, we must seek ways to problem solve through acts of love, not winner take all attitudes or acts of violence. Let it be so.

Prayer: Lord, remind us that you gifted us with choice and it is our call where we apply our gifts responsibly. 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 American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.