It’s all about REL ATIONSHIPS – relationship with others, relationship with family, relationship with God… and even our relationship with ourselves. We learned that throughout our 2-month overview study of the Bible. So, let’s take it to the next level.
Catch this… Socrates had a phrase he repeated: “Know thyself.” Two words, simple words, but combined, it’s a powerful open door into ourselves where we come clean with what we are good at and what we are challenged in doing. Let’s be honest, that introspection can be a “black hole” for us. Inside us are big rooms of knowledge and some rooms that are small with locked doors that we never dare open. (That is why Jesus uses the: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock…you open up and I’ll come in. It won’t be that bad or scary. We can open those long-closed doors together.” And the spiritual journey of relationships between you and God goes to the next level).
In 2 Corinthians 13:5, we find this passage: “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you?” God created us with an insight and perception that goes beyond our understanding. God loves to be in our “daily life experiences” and uses those moments as spiritual teaching and reflection times that can surprise us. It can surprise us to see how God can give us insight from our own life experience to come up with spiritual insights that are often wise beyond what we believe is the limits of our understanding. God has been doing that since the beginning of time. In this small space, however, I couldn’t begin to list all the places where God floods us with spiritual insights in our daily living.
OK – So, since we are on “sabbatical” and our homes are our “sanctuaries,” we are going to do some in home, on-line door-reopening for Jesus?
For the next 5 Sundays, I’ll be doing a sermon-series on FINDING HOPE! It’s going to be an in-home, on-line “scripture reading.” How does it speak to you in this experience of self quarantiningtime?” It should be fun. I’ll supply you with a list of scriptures each week. You can look over the scriptures, or ignore them. (Free-will) But, if you look at them and let them “perk” within you, you’ll come away with some interesting personal analogies or insights – “know thyself ” kind of stuff that will help you and others listening in.
Each Wednesday at 10 AM, I’ve been doing “Coffee Time with the Pastor.” It’s how-are-you-doing fellowship times. I normally do a short devotion. But this week, I’ll be changing it a bit (we all know about change…right?). Just come and see. God can, and is, really in this. Read the scriptures and go live life. God will show you a spiritual way of looking at things. You will gain wisdom and grow in your relationship with God.
Remember, this passage from 2 Corinthians 13:5 –“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you?”
