June 29, 2026

Sin can seem unavoidable. We lose our temper. We break rules we didn’t even know about. We judge. Even in cases where judgement would seem fair and logical, like a school shooter, it isn’t okay. There is great confusion over that issue. Our job is to do the best we can and to be eternally caring. Repentance and forgiveness are our gifts from God.

If we long to be healed and healing, if we wonder where we are called to make a difference in this world, we have only to sit at the feet of Jesus. He was and He is a great teacher. He has not left us. Just be still and listen. Enter your prayer place, take to the dusty road and He will join you.

It is difficult and yet strengthening when we finally learn God expects us to live as tolerant and loving people. That means no picking up offenses. No ego trips. If someone hurts us, we are not meant to find a way to get even. We are to love our enemies, to forgive seventy times seven. Being salt and light requires love and sacrifice.

There is great temptation to feel we are lost and alone. In a world where cruelty and meanness seem to be acceptable, choose to turn the other cheek. Choose to be a reflection of God’s love. Be an exhorter and a fresh breath of loving air for others.

Our worth is in God’s eyes, He who created us, filled us with our talents and ability to love and change the world. To cheapen ourselves by seeing our value through other people’s eyes instead of God’s eyes, is to make our earthly journey even more difficult. We are precious in God’s eyes, growing and learning but valuable. We should never argue with Him about that.

God, Life requires us to make difficult decisions. People can accuse us of being weak when we do not seek revenge. Forgiveness is not the ‘go to’ response in a culture that celebrates self-centered behavior. Help me, Father, to stand firm in love and resist the ego driven need to extract vengeance when I am affronted.

Love for Enemies

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[a] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Matthew 5:43-45