24 | The Right Way to Righteousness

Dear Lord,

I keep bumping into this word, "righteousness," in my Bible reading, in my daily wanderings.  Help me to sort out what you are trying to tell me.

I have to admit, God, "righteousness" rankles me a bit because of its current connotation.  This word is used differently now.  Abused.  Righteousness has a connotation of lording personal wisdom and good works over others.  It is condescending.  Judging.

Ick.

Gracious God, I don't want to lord my goodness (what little there is of it) over others.  You are the only  Lord, the Lord of all.  And your goodness supersedes my feeble attempts!

Through Jesus you show us again and again that righteousness isn't about lording judgments over others.  It's about loving others for the goodness inherent in them.

Righteousness isn't high and mighty.  It is humble.  It isn't leading by avowals of right and wrong, but leading by modest examples of your grace and forgiveness.  Righteousness doesn't point back to me, it points up to you, to the source of all that is right.  Righteousness doesn't put others down; it lifts others up. 

I like how Jesus lays it out, surprising his disciples with this paradox:

"Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all."  

Mark 9:35

Paul puts it another way...

Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

This makes sense.  This feels right.  This is how we experience Christ as we walk this earth.  In giving to others we receive the greatest gift of all.  Christ and the Holy Spirit flow through us, building us up as we serve others.  God, help me to sustain others and build them up, just as you do for me.  Help me to see the right thing to do to glorify you, and to do that with humility.

Amen.

May you walk with our Living Lord today in his path of humble righteousness.  May your encouragement of others build up your spirit at the same time.

11 | FaithFULLness

"I believe; help my unbelief!"

Mark 9:24b (NIV)

Lord, 

I love you.  I am so grateful to be a child of God, forgiven and set free.  I want to trust you in all that I do, in all that I dream.  I want to live my belief in you, of you, with confidence, joy, and hope.  I want to... but sometimes... too often... I fall into unbelief.

I believe, and I don't believe as much as you deserve.  How can these opposites coexist?  Or are they are not so far apart?  Perhaps my belief and my unbelief are entwined like strands of DNA, creating a code for my faith.  Perhaps twists of unbelief underscore my need to trust you, the blessings of trusting you.  Perhaps these turns of doubt are the negative image that outlines the positive peace of abiding in you, my Rock and my Redeemer.  Lord, help my unbelief.  And use it to remind me to return to you.  For that is where I want to be: trusting in you, living out my gratitude for your grace. 

I see the bare cross, but it is not barren.  It carries our sins, forgiven and forgotten.  It bears new life in Christ.  It shapes the "t"s that bookend trust — trust in you, the God who gave up everything out of love for us.  It points to heaven, pointing to the promise of eternal relationship with you.  Lord, you have given me the gift of Christ's death and resurrection.  May my response — my thanks — be a trusting, believing walk with you, today and every day.

"Genuine faith walks steadfastly with God for the pleasure of His company not for His results."

Beth Moore, Living Beyond Yourself: Exploring the Fruit of the Spirit

Lord, your faithfulness knows no end.  Your constant presence and goodness is a comfort always.  Your unconditional love clothes the conditions of earthly living with joy and peace.  Great is your faithfulness, which makes my life full.

Help me to lean into your faithfulness, to learn from your faithfulness.  Shape my faith with your Holy Spirit and grace.  Be my sight when I cannot see, my strength when I cannot stand, my hope when my spirits sag.  Be my light, leading me always and shining through me for others.  Make me full in your faithfulness, in my faith in you.

Amen.