Living in the Spirit
August 2, 2015

Scripture Reading: John 6:24-35

What must we do to perform the works of God? Jesus answered the, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” So they said to him, “What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” Then Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from Heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. –John 28b-35

What’s in it for me? Jesus’ answer is essentially: Everything—meaning to life, wholeness, oneness within the Body of Christ, love, fulfillment, and justice. His followers were targeting the lesser things, food for the body but not necessarily for the soul.

I worked for wages from the time I was 15 years old and for 35 years for the State of Oklahoma where I participated in a defined benefit retirement system that theoretically will be there for me for the rest of my life. It ultimately is controlled by the legislature who does not have a good track record with the public trust. It may seem strange but it was really hard for me to accept deep within my being that I would be getting a check every month without working. I rather held my breath until the first retirement check was deposited into my bank account and still do as I read reports of proposed shenanigans of our elected officials who seem more and more interested in there key supporters good than the common good.

I enjoyed all of my paid jobs most of the time, but there are occasions in any job when we have to do things that we really do not enjoy. While it may seem weird to some people, I like to work. What those defined benefits have allowed me to do is to define what I do and when I do it.

In our scripture today, I think Jesus is talking about living the fullness of life within the framework of his love no one can take away and that is more important than anything. Recognizing God’s love in its proper place in our lives is rather like receiving a defined benefit that has already been fully vested and is under the control of the Trusted One. Such a plan opens the door for our loving like Jesus without fear of not having enough love to sustain us.

Prayer: Thank you Lord for the gift of your abundant love. Let is empower each of us to love like Jesus loves. 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.