08-30-20

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
August 30, 2020
Scripture: Proverbs 13:20
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools suffers harm.

Thought for the Day: Do you have someone in your life who can tell you the truth? I’m not talking about rude, or someone who is out to tear you down. I have been blessed in life to have a number of people who walked alongside me, encouraging and inspiring me. But on those days when I needed some truth-telling, even when it might hurt a bit, they were willing to speak the hard words. Of course, they had been given permission…by me. In every case, even when I felt wounded for a while, I knew that each of those people was motivated out of love for me. These were people who were wise, capable of differentiating between their own insecurities and the potential within me. Like many of you, I have had people who claimed to have my best interest in mind, but their motivation arose from self-interest, not self-sacrifice. Most observers would not think of wisdom as a critical attribute for a truth-teller, but wisdom provides clarity of self. They knew who they were, and they were not seeking to fill some emptiness within themselves at my expense. That kind of wisdom is in short supply right now, and for that reason, I am even more thankful for those who have gifted me.

Prayer: You, O Lord, came to a world that was driven by self-interest. You not only claimed your love for us, but gave your life. Such sacrifice requires wisdom, the ability to understand the difference between a self-centered life and a love-centered life. Give us this wisdom, O Generous God. Amen.

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