Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“So I find it to be a law that when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand.”
NL Daily Devotion for Monday, August 3, 2020
by R. M. Fergus, Clergy Stuff
Paul is struggling. He’s human. He can’t seem to get it right, no matter how intelligent, knowledgeable, pious, or well-intentioned he is. Perfectionism is a terrible burden. I know. It’s something I struggle with every day. It’s an unattainable standard that leaves me perpetually questioning my competence and value. The truth is we can never be perfect and God loves and accepts us anyway.
But that’s no excuse for not striving to be better. It cheapens God’s grace if we aren’t committed to working toward God’s intention for us. It’s too easy to read Paul’s struggle and throw up our hands and say, “Yep. We’re sinners. Nothing we can do about that. Good thing God loves us.” It lets us off the hook for our bad behavior and that’s not okay. We are called to the work of doing whatever we can to be in right relationship to God, our neighbor, and all of creation. Yes, we’re going to screw up. But that doesn’t mean we stop trying.
Are there ways I am not taking responsibility for my part in my relationship with God, neighbor, and creation?
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