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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion Wednesday, July 9, 2003 "Fireflies" |
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Frontline Devotion for Wednesday, July 9, 2003 by Penny Risen
Class reunions probably are the pinnacle of gloating over people's misfortunes or shortcomings.
Overheard as whispered behind poised hands:
"Of course she's had nips, tucks and a nose job -- remember how she aimed to marry money ..."
"His kid just dropped out of sight, and after all that private schooling ..."
"I see she's got Trophy Husband No. 2 -- must be half her age ..."
"He tanked in Silicon Valley. Moved back here to be a GS-12 ..."
As my mother used to mutter when she caught me gossiping: "Now, that's not very Christian."
Gossip is a dark, terrible and destructive thing -- why do we enjoy it so?
Neither Sammy Sosa's bats nor Martha Stewart's finances effect my life, why would I care?
On TV, in magazines, at coffee, even while bagging bananas at the grocery we hear people tattle about their neighbors or their enemies. It's painful to hear, whether you know the target or not.
None of us is perfect, and we all lose our way in life at one time or another. Do we resort to finger-pointing to shift the focus from our own words or actions?
We all know very smart people who do very stupid things. Lies are told, facts are hidden, excuses cover misdeeds, trust is broken -- all in the face of vows or promises made to the ones we love and care about. We even lie to ourselves.
Our God, who gave us free will to do good or evil, knows this all too well about us. Yet over and over He is willing to forgive the penitent heart, and He often sends others to comfort and redirect us -- whether we readily recognize it or not.
Today's passage in Proverbs advises us not to glory in the bad acts or misfortune of another:
"When he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice." And repeating these missteps as gossip behind his or her back does nothing to promote healing or aid in finding the right path.
Isn't finding light in the darkness a better use of our time?
This time of year when night falls in my backyard, a wonderful thing happens when I least expect it. In the corner of my eye, the sudden blink of a firefly will softly shine in the stillness.
Then in another spot in a tree, a tiny bright signal will answer. It's a glorious sight in the darkness!
We as Christians need to see the bright spots in the darkness, to delight in the fireflies and not the black, sinful nothingness that comes from only finding fault or spreading gossip.
Instead, try to catch people being good. Like a child can briefly catch a firefly to marvel in its glow, we can grab onto the good in people instead of cutting them down with criticism.
Rejoice in them, as fireflies appearing in the darkness.
Prayer for the Day: Dear Lord, help us to celebrate the bright spots in our lives, not to gloat in the darkness that may overtake others. Amen.
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All are welcome to join and share in our Devotional Ministry. Pastor Dave welcomes and appreciates feedback. pastordave@goodshepherdonline.org.