Today’s scripture: Matthew 20:17-19 (ESV-text and audio) (KJV) (The Message) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Robert Ferguson):
I remember a day that started like this:
Someone hit a golf ball through my living room window; I got a flat tire on my way to work, and when I finally got to work my access card to enter the building wasn’t working.
Ugh! This day was off to a bad start. And as usual I looked right up at God and asked, “Why?” The response I hear in my spirit is always the same:
“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”
As I read our scripture for today I cannot help but feel that Jesus is teaching us through his own example how to accept things that are out of our control and live a peaceful life. In this, the third prediction by Jesus of His own death, we find Him going into even greater detail regarding not only his death but the specific method that will be used.
This was such a horrible revelation that not even those closest to Jesus could bear to hear the brutal reality. But Jesus speaks with such confidence and acceptance, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death.” Jesus displayed inner peace and acceptance about what he knew was ahead.
I seek this peace that Jesus displays here. Sometimes it seems natural to worry, stress, and dread what is coming down the road. When we are able to distinguish sharply between what things we can control (such as our opinions, impulses, and emotional reactions) and those things that we cannot control (such as other peoples opinions, certain circumstances, and timing of flat tires) then we are better able to have a sense of peace as we move through this life. We worry about the future, our possessions, the fate of others, and so on, all because we refuse to accept things as they are, wishing to impose our wills on what is beyond our control.
As we examine Jesus today we see Him working with God and allowing the will of God to be his focus. What we can control is our opinions and attitudes, our approach to whatever happens to us. We can meet any situation with inner joy, or not — the choice is ours. Once we realize that things that are outside our control are not really part of us, and accept that we have no power over them — or they us — we free ourselves emotionally and can deal with situations with peace and confidence.
Thought for the day:
God, grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And wisdom to know the difference.
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.