Devotion: Procuring Peace
Please take a moment and read the scripture from this weekend: Mark 9:33-50
Last week a friend was telling me about a conversation her family had at their dinner table. She said that a random topic of which brand of ketchup was the best came up and it soon turned into a heated debate! Everyone had a different, and strong opinion of which ketchup was better, and were defending it like it was the hill they were going to die on.
It made me start thinking about what it looks like to gather and have debatable conversations. Does everyone patiently wait to talk? Are people open to hearing what someone else feels and really listening? Do people walk away from that table with things to think on, or do they walk away never wanting to speak about it again? I know I’ve felt many different ways and can relate.
This weekend Pastor Michelle talked about being a โsalty Christianโ. She said that salty Christians sacrifice, are humble and show self-awareness. That they look inward and cultivate empathy and compassion. Pastor Michelle said that salty Christians change themselves in order to bring peace to situations. Why do we do this? Because Jesus said, โHave salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.โ”
Friends, as you sit around tables in the coming days and weeks, remember to be a salty Christian. Do as Jesus commands and season yourself with goodness and kindness. Be self-disciplined and bring peace with your thoughts, words and actions. It can begin with you.
Let us pray…..
Gracious Father,
Be with us as we gather. Send your Spirit into our conversations and help us be mindful of all that your Son taught us. Guide us to care for each other by having thoughtful discussions. Pour into us all that we need to be gentle and strong, wise and discerning, loving and open. Remind us that the greatest gift we can give is to love each other well.
In your mighty, saving and precious Son’s name, Amen.
Written by Julie Anderson
Julie Anderson is a member of Sheridanโs Devotion Writing Team. She works as Sheridanโs Childrenโs Music Coordinator where she is passionate about teaching children to use their musical gifts to praise God.
๏ปฟJulie is married to Scott and counts her greatest honor as being mom to Adrienne, Eliot and Elise.