Unity in Community

“In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.” Judges 21:25

As my children go off to school each day, I wonder how they will act. Will they act in the way they were brought up or act simply as they see fit? This freedom and sudden liberation from the close eye of parents can have devastating effects on teachers, administrators, and anyone else caught in the maelstrom. So how do we respond when others act as they see fit rather than according to our expectations? The best response is to live faithfully, love generously, and pray diligently.

When we live faithfully we testify to certain things. Even when others don’t immediately respond as we might hope they are learning from us. Your actions speak volumes to what you truly believe. Living faithfully is a 24/7 responsibility. When we are upset or taken advantage of or hurt by others, we can do as we see fit or live faithfully. The more we practice faithful living the more we see fit to live accordingly. If we can change how we live, so can others.

Second, we love generously. When others act as they see fit those that love generously are at risk of being hurt. But that is what comes from loving others – risk. Love without risk is not true love. We can love generously because God first loved us. God loves us so much that he gave his only Son Jesus Christ that we might spend forever with him. Christ was obedient unto death because of his love for the Father and for you and me. Loving generously is contagious! People may not understand what you are doing or why you choose see things a certain way but they recognize genuine caring.

Lastly, pray diligently. Faithfully sending our little loved ones out into the world is a scary thing. Pray for your children. Pray for your neighbor’s children. Pray for my children. God desires to give his own children good gifts; ask him today for those things that are drawing your attention and seeking to capture your heart. Pray for the next generation.

Everyone doing as they saw fit isn’t a bad thing if we all live faithfully, love generously, and pray diligently. This has to start somewhere. Let it begin with you.

Jonathan Sullivan is the Pastor at First Baptist Church, 1201 Western Circle Dr., in Dimmitt, Texas. Small groups meet on Sunday morning at 9:30 and Worship is at 10:30. Come celebrate with us.