Scripture: Mark 12:33
And to love God with all of the heart, a full understanding, and all of one’s strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself is much more important than all kinds of entirely burned offerings and sacrifices.
Thought for the Day: On this day in 1812, the Waltz was introduced in an English ballroom. In today’s world, the Waltz would be considered a very sophisticated and morally upright dance, but at its debut, it was considered disgusting and immoral. How do our opinions change so dramatically? It is the same dance. I do not wish to suggest that ethics and morality should be subjective to the mood of history, but there are many things we have deemed moral or immoral, ethical or unethical, only to reverse it over time. There is much in Christian history that has been quick to judge without paying attention to key teachings of Jesus. In fact, he appeared to stay away from a lot of petty stuff that others got all excited about. He wanted to know how you were treating your neighbor, your enemy and even your persecutor. Dancing and similar concerns? Such things were not his issues, and thus should not be our issues.
Prayer: Keep me focused, Lord God, upon those things that uplift your core principles of love, mercy, hospitality and generosity. Amen.
Praying For Your Church
