Living in the Spirit

June 24, 2021

I do not say this as a command, but I am testing the genuineness of your love against the earnestness of others. For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. And in this matter I am giving my advice: it is appropriate for you who began last year not only to do something but even to desire to do something— now finish doing it, so that your eagerness may be matched by completing it according to your means. For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has—not according to what one does not have. I do not mean that there should be relief for others and pressure on you, but it is a question of a fair balance between your present abundance and their need, so that their abundance may be for your need, in order that there may be a fair balance. As it is written,
‘The one who had much did not have too much,
   and the one who had little did not have too little.’

Several years ago, I drove 35 miles from my home to the small rural community where one of my nieces played basketball.  I enjoyed the game but was startled upon leaving the gym to discover a blizzard in full force. The one good thing, ice was not sticking to the road. The unbelievably lousy result was my inability to see more than a few feet in front of my car on a winding rural highway. That was the most harrowing 20 or so miles I have ever driven. The interstate and street lights of the city were terrific reprieves even though conditions were still bad.  I thought of this when I weighed my response to COVID was. I believe we have reached at least a somewhat lighted path. My daily life during the pandemic was nothing to compare to that of health care workers and other essential employees. I felt rather helpless as the only thing I could do was stay home otherwise, wear a mask, socially distance, wash my hands, and pray. I also develop skills regarding Zoom meetings.

We are at the threshold of a new beginning. As we now deal with where we go from here, we must do so by carefully examining what we have learned about ourselves and how we share our love with others. In the first verse of this scripture, Paul describes most of the Christians with which I have contact. We speak well, study and learn, and devote time and energy to our churches. How do we love, and are we hitting the mark with our love?

Prayer: Lord, thank you for dwelling among us during these trying times. Grant us the courage to learn from this experience and reshape the world in your model of love. 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.