The opening sentence of today’s study is, I think, an important point, which is a good guide for many (if not most) of our Christian activities: “Those who seek to be peacemakers will find their mission is more effective when they ensure there are no unresolved conflicts within themselves.”
On reading this I thought of Matthew 7:3-5, when Jesus said; ‘Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, “Let me take the speck out of your eye,” when all the trime there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.’
It’s important to be fully aware of our own spiritual condition and often we don’t see the planks in our own eyes or are aware that unresolved conflicts are effecting our minstry to others. I think it’s vital to have a close and trusted spiritual adviser who can reflect back to you what others see, in a compassionate and confidential manner – do you agree?
Selwyn continues with his opening theme: ‘The simple truth is that often when we lose our peace with others we are projecting an inner conflict we ourselves have. Usually those who constantly run out of patience with their families or the people with whom they work are out of patience with themselves. … (the core issue is) when we are not at peace with God we are not at peace with ourselves.’
The prayer for today brings home the point that nothing can separate us from God’s love and the peace it brings: ‘Heavenly Father, once more I thank You from the depths of my being that I have found in You a peace that nothing can destroy. Ceaselessly I bow in adoration at the wonder of it. Amen.’
Peace in our hearts
The opening sentence of today’s study is, I think, an important point, which is a good guide for many (if not most) of our Christian activities: “Those who seek to be peacemakers will find their mission is more effective when they ensure there are no unresolved conflicts within themselves.”
On reading this I thought of Matthew 7:3-5, when Jesus said; ‘Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, “Let me take the speck out of your eye,” when all the trime there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.’
It’s important to be fully aware of our own spiritual condition and often we don’t see the planks in our own eyes or are aware that unresolved conflicts are effecting our minstry to others. I think it’s vital to have a close and trusted spiritual adviser who can reflect back to you what others see, in a compassionate and confidential manner – do you agree?
Selwyn continues with his opening theme: ‘The simple truth is that often when we lose our peace with others we are projecting an inner conflict we ourselves have. Usually those who constantly run out of patience with their families or the people with whom they work are out of patience with themselves. … (the core issue is) when we are not at peace with God we are not at peace with ourselves.’
The prayer for today brings home the point that nothing can separate us from God’s love and the peace it brings: ‘Heavenly Father, once more I thank You from the depths of my being that I have found in You a peace that nothing can destroy. Ceaselessly I bow in adoration at the wonder of it. Amen.’