ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHING
May 18, 2021
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:24
No one should look out for their own advantage, but they should look out for each other.
Thought for the Day: Monday is my day off, and it is the one day I usually have for getting my lawn mowed. As you might have guessed, I never found a break from the rain to actually get it done. There was a bit of griping on my part until I remembered to check where Houston is currently in regard to rain fall for the year. And come to find out, we are behind… though after yesterday’s rain, I don’t think we are quite as far behind. It was one of those good reminders that what was feeling like an inconvenience to me was sort of a good thing for our larger community (except where there was some flooding). Now I’m not suggesting I was praying or lighting candles in hopes of turning away the rain, but how often have I acted all bent out of shape because of something that was a mild inconvenience, and might just have been something good for a lot of other folks. So much of scripture is an invitation for us to think more broadly. We are wired for survival, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing, but life in community requires us to think, act and live with others in mind. And if each member of the community is looking out for everyone else, it is a whole lot easier to let go of the self-absorption.
Prayer: Keep revealing the importance of living in community, and the responsibility that comes with being a member of that community. Holy God, it is good to step outside of our narrow and self-focused ways of living. There is true joy found in living a life for others. Amen.
