Today’s scripture: Hebrews 13:7-19 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (John Seksay):
“Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings; for it is well for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by regulations about [insert your favorite rule book here], which have not benefited those who observed them” (13:9).
I can name a handful of people in my life who seem to convey the essence of what Jesus taught. Almost everyone I have been related to or acquainted with have had their good moments (and less than good moments), but a small handful display a startling and admirable consistency.
For the reading today, I thought of my Aunt Nellie Wilson. All my memories are from my younger years, since my family moved away and contact became rare. Aunt Nellie was always warm and welcoming, whether her own life was happy or sad. She had the ability to win you over with a laugh and a gentle nudge in a mystic way that no amount of hellfire could ever equal. Being around her made you want to be a better person just for the pleasure of her company. The thought of giving her any kind of reason to be sorrowful was downright distressing!
Some might argue that it’s easy to be like that when company is around. But even when I visited with other family members over the years, I do not remember one unkind word about her among all the gossip and contention that marked the many family stories. When my sister and I last visited her at the nursing home shortly before her passing, she was nearly beside herself because she didn’t have the resources or energy to dote on us like she did when we were young. It distressed her to the point of tears to NOT be able to manifest the love she felt for us more tangibly. For us, to be in the presence of such a kind and loving spirit was all the nourishment we needed.
Ask me what church she attended, and I would have no idea which one she and Uncle Ben belonged to, if any. Nor do I care. Because the institution we may attend, the worship we may perform, and the ceremonies we might observe — these are not the essence of God in our lives. A diamond ring is a diamond ring because of the diamond at its center, not the ring setting that holds the stone.
The stone in the ring of our existence is how we manifest the qualities that we hold as our beliefs, our faith. That is our soul. Do our words and actions bear solid testimony to the light within, or are they a ceremonial mask over an empty shell?
To me, this is the heart of the reading for today.
Thought for the day: Lord, may the blessings of your grace shine forth in my ways!
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.