Rev. Richard Smith
January 11, 2024
Ephesians 5:15-16
Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity…
For the past two years, I’ve relied on this text from the Apostle Paul as a January starting point; being invited to live wisely and fruitfully. Reflecting anew, here are some key principles we each should embrace.
Be Accepting That Life Has Its Ups And Downs
Kate Bowler, writer and seminary professor, sums it up well in her book, Have A Beautiful Terrible Day:
Love happens. Pain happens. Joy happens. Loss happens. Life happens. Everything happens.
Taking this position also doesn’t mean having a spirit of resignation. Rather, with God’s help, we stand ready to handle whatever life does bring.
Treat Each Person As A Child Of God
This should be one of the fundamental tenets of our lives. It’s simple. We treat each person as a child of God because each person is a child of God.
This doesn’t naively mean that all our interactions and relations will be hunky-dory, or that we won’t face very trying interactions. But it does mean we are willing to commit ourselves to treating others as Jesus would have us do as best we can with God’s help.
Live With Deep Gratitude
While, as noted above, life does have its less-than-welcome moments and experiences, each of us is blessed. Amidst the great challenges, there are always blessings. “Count your many blessings, name them one by one” may seem trite but it’s true. Ongoing gratitude is a needed spiritual perspective if we are to live with joy and peace.
Grow Where We Need To Grow
Each of us has practices, behaviors, and attitudes which betray the kind of life God wants us to live. We all need to do some personal spiritual inventory and discern what we can do, with God’s help, to be clearer examples of Jesus-centered folks.
Growth can involve changing a habit; or taking on a new practice; or redefining our priorities; or giving up an unhealthy emotional response. Wonderfully, the more we grow and mature in faith and practice, the more content we are.
Live Generously
Without question, the life ethic of Jesus places a premium on living generously. Living this way isn’t just about sharing material resources, it’s also about giving time and attention to those who are in need; whether emotionally or materially or physically.
God doesn’t expect us to ignore our own needs, but He does invite us on the enriching journey of sharing our time and resources where and when we can. I can tell you categorically that self-giving people are the happiest, most fulfilled people around.
