Weekly Meditation for Aug 16th

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Weekly Meditation
by Kelly Durbin

Ephesians 5: 15-20
Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.


In this week's scripture reading, the Apostle Paul continues to compare and contrast what we are called to be, and not to be; comparing the old life from the new life we now live in Christ. He continues the pattern in this passage, as Rev. Carol talked about on Sunday, of sharing what we are to "take off" in order to make room for what we are to "put on", as in to "put on Christ". Starting out Chapter 5, he says to "be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God".

How many times have you seen a little boy walking behind his father with the same movements, the same gait, and the same posture? It can be quite comical, and overwhelmingly sweet to watch. Beloved children want to be like their parents, and if we are to be imitators of God, we have to start by realizing first and foremost that we are loved. Christ loved us and gave himself up for us. I sometimes think this is one of the greatest challenges we face, believing and whole heartedly accepting that we are loved. If we can get over that hurdle, then we've come a long way.

Secondly, in order to be imitators of God, we have to know and understand some things about the nature of God. It's much like that little boy who imitates his Daddy; he starts by watching him. We have to study God, the God we find in the Bible is certainly one place and one way to do that, but we mustn't forget to watch for God to show up in other places too. God lives within you and me, and we have a here and now, in the present and in your face way of getting to know God, by getting to know one another. By the way we can behave at times, as Paul describes in this week's passage: unwisely, foolishly, or drunkenly, it can be a little tough to see God. But when we live in love, going out of our way to care for one another with tenderness and compassion, there is not a more precious representation of God to be found.

If we look closely within the walls of our congregation, we will see acts of love: the sharing of financial resources or donations for those with material needs, hear words of encouragement and support, share laughter to lift someone's spirit, or see someone just being with someone else who is sick or going through a rough time. We might also hear some gossip or see someone get angry. We might experience conflict or feel misunderstood. I think we too often focus on those negative things, which can turn into resentment and bitterness. We are indeed human, after all, and strive for a mark that we sometimes miss. But if we expect to fail and expect to see failure in others, then that is what we will see more often than not. Instead, let's look for the good that is happening, the goodness of God that is all around us and in us.

One of our regular attendees volunteers at a senior center. She told me a story the other day about one of the gentlemen she serves. At his request, she picks him up each week and takes him to the grocery store. Once there, he goes in and picks up an order of meat that they then deliver to a food pantry. He does this each and every week because most people do not donate meat to food pantries and he knows that people need protein to strengthen their bodies and for children to grow. You wouldn't expect someone like him, an aging gentleman that needs help, to have something to give, but he does. When I heard that story, I realized that he is an imitator of God.

I'd like to challenge each of us to make a habit of looking for and studying the "God moments"; to see God's nature of love as it's perfected before our very eyes, and then determine in our own hearts that we too will be imitators of that same God we see in one another. In this week's passage, Paul is encouraging us to be wise and make the most of our opportunities. What opportunities do you have today?