Daily Bread

Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.

Today's Daily Bread is a little political but please read on, as I truly want to be kind, loving, and generous to all.

In the light of world events this past week, the line that jumps out of me is, "For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind."

I can't help but think of this week's televised meeting between two presidents. I watched the meeting live and prayed out loud, and in earnest, for the hosts to act with mercy, gentleness, purity, peacefulness, and without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. I, like many others, were utterly dismayed, not because the two presidents held different viewpoints — that is understandable — but because of the attitude and behaviour of the hosts — and the result? Disorder.

I know that Fab members come from all over the political spectrum, and that is okay. Of course it is. We need each other to challenge our presuppositions and beliefs — me included — and whether we are democrat or republican, liberal or conservative, suited or casual, to God, it is the quality of our hearts that matter.

If we make selfish ambition our goal (and harbour its evil twin 'envy' in our hearts), then we are prone to boast and tell lies. James reminds us that this is not God's heavenly wisdom, nor is it borne of the Spirit of God, but it is earthly, unspiritual, and ungodly — and that the inevitable result is disorder and wickedness.

Whether we are a world leader or a lowly citizen with little in the way of wealth and power, we must strive for God's wisdom, and be the peace-filled, gentle, amenable, merciful, accepting, and genuine people God has called us to be.

Holy God
Help me to put aside my prejudices and biases,
and act with both tolerance and authenticity.
May I seek your Godly wisdom,
by continually asking your Holy Spirit to fill me,
and may I be a bringer of peace, justice, and mercy
to everyone I meet and encounter.
This day and forever.