ODJ: trails
I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return (v.10).
READ: Philippians 1:6-11
During a trip to Israel, I stood in a field just outside of Bethlehem. Some movement to my left revealed a shepherd leading some sheep down a well-worn trail. The winding path was easy to see due to its constant use. As I think about that trail, a thought comes to mind. What trails am I consistently taking in life? There can be good ones—worshiping God, serving others. But there are also negative paths to follow—worshiping material things, living selfishly.
Paul prayed for the believers in Jesus in Philippi, that they would “understand what really matters” (Philippians 1:10). He wanted them to acquire a habit—a trail—that would lead them to a deeper relationship with God and others. What was this trail he wanted them to traverse? Love. “I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding” (v.9).
Did you catch those two key words at the end of verse 9? Knowledge and understanding can be acquired only if we are pursuing paths that lead to Jesus and His love. With that in mind, it’s interesting that the word trail originally meant the train of a robe. As we follow our Shepherd—being found in the train of His robe—we will be found in His love (Ephesians 4:8).
The trail of God’s love leads to lives that are:
• Pure and blameless (Phil. 1:10). Revealing habits that are wholesome and choices that positively influence others for Jesus.
• Righteous (v.11). Containing fruit from the Holy Spirit’s work within us.
Do the terms pure, blameless, and righteous describe the well-worn trails of your life? If not, it’s time to grasp Jesus’ train and acquire knowledge and understanding about what real love is all about. —Tom Felten
What are the trails that mark your life and your values? How can you grow in God’s love so that it will “overflow more and more” from you?
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Loading ...ODB: strength in weakness
February 27, 2010
READ: Matthew 20:20-28
Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. —Matthew 20:26
No one wants to be weak, so we find ways to appear strong. Some of us use the force of our emotions to manipulate people. Others use the force of personality to control people, and some use intellect to intimidate. Although these create an illusion of strength, they are signs of weakness.
When we are truly strong, we have the courage to admit our limitations and to acknowledge our dependence on God. As a result, true strength often looks a lot like weakness. When the apostle Paul prayed that an affliction would be taken from him, God answered, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9). Paul responded with these troubling words: “When I am weak, then I am strong” (v.10).
Toward the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry, some of His disciples were striving for positions of prominence. Jesus used their argument as an opportunity to teach them that in His kingdom things are different: greatness comes when we willingly assume positions of weakness (Matt. 20:26).
This is a hard truth. I prefer the illusion of strength to the reality of weakness. But God wants us to realize that true strength comes when we stop trying to control people and start serving them instead. — Julie Ackerman Link
God’s greatest power can be displayed in our biggest weakness.
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