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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion January 20, 2005 WATCH OUT FOR THE BOOMERANG |
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Frontline Devotion for Thursday, January 20, 2004 By
Pastor Dave Sonnenberg
A foundation is something that holds up an entire structure. Buildings can
not be built without a well built foundation.
My personal devotions for the last several days have found me reading Jesus’
Sermon on the Mount, which appears in Matthew 5-7. In those 3
chapters, Jesus appears to address many of the complexities of human life- the
difficulties we have in human relationships. Verse after verse,
Jesus offers “building blocks” that, when taken seriously, lay a wonderful
foundation for living.
Yesterday, as I concluded my look at the sermon on the mount, I came across this
foundational building block. In the Message translation of the Bible,
Jesus says, “Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their
faults- unless, of course you want the same treatment. That critical
spirit has a way of boomeranging!” (Jesus- Matthew 7:2)
In a world where criticisms run rampant, this is a foundational word we need to
take seriously. Our political parties pick on each other, nations pick on
each other, and our news is filled with people criticizing each other.
But, one need not even turn on the television set to get a dose of critical
spirits. Too often, we humans, look out at others with a judging attitude.
We see how some do things and, because it’s different from the way we’d do
things, we poke fun at them. This kind of talk, even if it’s silent and
confined to the context of our souls, has a way of boomeranging. Do you
believe that? I sure do.
Whenever I find myself offering criticism and judgement, I find my spirit
starting to drop. I find that as I am getting upset with others for their
mistakes and offering criticism, I end up in a terrible mood. In a sense,
I believe I end up tearing apart my own foundation. As this translation
says, the critical spirit has a way of “boomeranging.”
The boomerang is a good reminder for us as we go through daily life. We
are called to build people up and offer honest help when people make mistakes-
not tear them down. Remind yourself each day to maintain a positive
spirit. When you find yourself slipping- duck! For that boomerang
will be coming quickly!
Lord God, we are your people who live in relationship. It is a complex
world and we really do need each other. Focus our attention on building
each other up- rather than tearing down through criticism and judgement.
Create in us open and generous hearts. Give us patience and understanding-
this day and in all the days to come. Amen.
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All are welcome to join and share in our Devotional Ministry on the "Frontlines" of the world. Frontline Devotions are sent via email daily. Sign up by clicking on the box to the left. Pastor Dave welcomes feedback. Contact him at pastordave@goodshepherdonline.org. |
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