Archive for November, 2008

Part of being made in the image of God is freedom – the freedom to make choices.

Everything I do involves choices. I may not be aware of them, but they’re there. I choose how to respond to someone’s words or actions. I choose how to respond to interruptions. Or emergencies. Or anything else that disrupts my plans. Everything involves a choice.

Being in His image means that He’s also given me a dash of His creativity. I can choose to make something beautiful. Or something really ugly. Whether it’s things or relationships.

Have you ever watched a child think through things to get what they want? Or not have to do what they’re told? There can be some amazing creativity involved!

And really I’m no different. I may be able to use more finesse. I may be able to hide the mechanizations better. But, in the space of a second, I can choose whether to do right (build up) or do wrong (tear down).

Lord, help me not to just be in Your image, but to reflect your character, too.

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.   This is good, and pleases God our Savior,  who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1-4)

Today’s the day. They call it historic. Not only is it the longest campaign in our history, it also involves race and sex barriers.

But regardless of how it turns out. Whether I’m happy with the outcome or not – God has given me a course of action.

I am to pray for these leaders – and not just the prayers I usually think of – thanksgiving is part of the list. He doesn’t say anything about the thanksgiving being based on the characters of those leaders or even where they are leading. So, thanksgiving for what, I wonder. That they are there – that someone’s leading? There would be chaos otherwise.

Paul says that the goal of our prayers is that we may live peaceful and quiet lives. The word “live” has to do with “spending life.”  And the word “lives” means “everyday lives”. We pray for our leaders so that we can spend our everydays in peace – able to live out our faith (that’s the godliness and holiness).

Then he says this is good and pleases God. The word “good” can be translated “beautiful.” Imagine! Something I do is beautiful to God and pleases Him.

The next thing Paul says tells us why God is so pleased with those prayers. Living is peace and quiet isn’t just for us. Being able to live out our faith isn’t either.

Living our faith will touch others. They will want to know why we live like we do – and we’ll have a chance to tell them.