Today’s scripture: Genesis 13:1-18 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Kirsten Shaw):
7 And there was strife between the herders of Abram’s livestock and the herders of Lot’s livestock. At that time the Canaanites and the Perizzites lived in the land.
8 Then Abram said to Lot, “Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herders and my herders; for we are kindred.
Surrounded by hostile neighbors, the herdsmen of Abram and Lot should have pulled together. Instead, they let pettiness tear them apart. Today’s world is filled with similar instances of polarizing divisiveness. It happens in politics, on social media…. even within the church. How often have we seen Christians let adversarial energy ravage an opportunity for fellowship? We must lean into our faith and God’s strength to protect us.
Rivalries, arguments, and disagreements among believers can be destructive in three ways:
1) They damage good will, trust, and peace — the foundations of human relationships.
2) They hamper progress toward important goals.
3) They make us self-centered rather than love-centered.
Jesus understood how destructive and distracting conflict can be. In His final prayer before being betrayed and arrested, Jesus asked God that His followers be ‘of one heart and mind.’ (John 17-21).
Thought for the Day: Gracious God, guide our dialogue with others that it may foster a closeness with You and others. Give us patience to resist engaging in combative conversations. May we use Jesus’ example of extending grace to all and find peace in loving others in their truth, even when it differs significantly from our own.
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.