Today’s scripture: Matthew 23:1-22 (ESV-text and audio) (KJV) (The Message) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Brenda Corbello):
This passage tells me more about how I am to live my life than many of the self-help books that can be found on the shelves today. What I am hearing when I read these words is: live authentically, be honest, reliable and sincere. But just as important, be humble in all that we do.
Although this may sound like a very tall order, it gives me great relief to know that I do not have to be anything other than exactly what I am. I can stop listening to anyone who tells me that God cannot love me because of who I choose to love. I can stop berating myself for making mistakes. I do not have to follow a bunch of rules which were established by a group of human beings just as flawed as I am. All I have to do is continue to try to be the best version of me that I can be every single day.
Don’t get me wrong. It is not easy trying to be honest, reliable, and humble everyday. I stumble, that is for sure. But, since God is the only authority over me, and my God is forgiving when I seek forgiveness, I can recover when I stumble.
We are also warned to be careful when we are choosing who to look up to. There will always be leaders, but those that allow you the freedom to think for yourself, are the better leaders. There is nothing wrong with studying under someone. There are many people with a great deal of knowledge and experience to impart. But, what I am hearing in this passage is that we need to be careful not to set them up as experts over our understanding of what God wants from us.
Our relationship with God is very personal, and only we know what is right for us. With prayer and honest searching we can find the answers we seek.
I would like to share The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. I have found these useful.
- Be Impeccable With Your Word — Speak with integrity. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.
- Don’t Take Anything Personally — Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream.
- Don’t Make Assumptions — Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama.
- Always Do Your Best — Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.
Thought for the day: Thank you, God, for only requiring of me that I honor the essence of who you created me to be. Teach me to also honor the essence of who you created others to be, as well.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.