Scripture: 1st John 3:10-11
The children of God and the children of the devil are revealed in this way: all who do not do what is right are not from God, nor are those who do not love their brothers and sisters. For this is the message you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
Thought for the Day: There are times, as I am reading scripture, when I am left asking the question, “What did the author mean?” And then there is 1st John. I doubt anyone could have presented things more clearly. If you love your brother and sister, you are a child of God. If you do not love your brother and sister, you are a child of the devil. Are there any questions? I read this and picture Dana Carvey as the Church Lady on SNL. So when you see someone hating a brother or sister, you are allowed to say, “Hmmm… I guess you must be a child of, well, maybe… hmmm, Satan?” That might not be the most Christ-like response, though 1st John would probably be ok with that kind of brutal honesty. Of course, are we not all a mix of both? This morning I pray the prayer below, in the recognition that I have been given another grace-filled opportunity to do a little better today and live into my designation as a child of God.
Prayer: Yesterday was not perfect. I did not always represent you, Merciful God. Maybe it wasn’t so much in what I said, but what I failed to say. It might not have been in my actions on the street, but by sitting on the couch and providing money through commercial revenue as I watched political pundits reinforce my oWn bias. Maybe it wasn’t because I participated in a rally of white supremacists, but I did not denounce someone who attempted to justify and give credence to their existence. Yesterday, I was far from perfect. In your mercy, God, I pray for an opportunity to do better this day. For in loving my sister and brother, I am honoring you and declaring my place as one of your beloved. Amen.
