Scripture: Galatians 5:25
If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.
Thought for the Day: I was with some Disciples of Christ pastors yesterday for lunch. We were talking about one of our historic beliefs as a denomination in regard to polity – we are a congregationally governed church. That means, there is not a hierarchy that tells us what we can do or not do. It does put a great deal of authority and responsibility at the local church level. One of my colleagues reminded those of us gathered for lunch that we are congregationally governed, but not congregationally driven or led. We are led and guided by the Spirit at work within the congregation, but that is very different then suggesting we are led by the congregation. Too many churches – with the best intentions – decide to push ahead without any consultation of the divine breath that moves around us and within us. This Spirit (in both Greek and Hebrew, the word for breath is the same as the word for spirit or wind) uses our intellect, experiences, insights, creativity, relationships and education to speak to us, but it first requires us to listen below the surface of our own yearnings and desires. This is required of both the individual and the community. Are you listening? Are we listening? Are you willing to be guided? Are we willing to be guided?
Prayer: Breathe into us, O Lord. Allow for your Spirit to engage our thinking, inspire our creativity, encourage our relationships and focus what we have learned. Keep us asking the most important questions of who is our neighbor and how best can we show love to our neighbor. Amen.
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