Thought for Friday, 16 September

James 3:13 (New Living Translation)

If you are wise and understand God’s ways, live a life of steady goodness so that only good deeds will pour forth.  And if you don’t brag about the good you do, then you will be truly wise!

 

The tv coverage of our Queen’s passing and the reflection on her life of service has been all encompassing, has it not?   In our house it has been almost constant.  One of my cousins went through to Edinburgh to see the Queen’s hearse arrive at Holyrood and stayed over to see the following day’s procession to St Giles.  She remarked on how friendly everyone was being to each other during the hours that were spent waiting.  On tv this morning, a similar story was being reported from London where, despite folks having to queue for eight hours, they were retaining their good humour and supporting those around them.  Why oh why does it take a time or occasion such as this to cause people to be nice to each other?  In the very few occasions I’ve been in London, it struck me as the type of place where everyone is in a hurry and where you could collapse in the street and most fellow pedestrians would just walk around or over you without stopping to help. 

 

God’s view of what is wise and man’s view is not the same.  The chapter goes on to say if we are bitterly jealous of others and have selfish ambition, we cannot regard ourselves as being wise, indeed, James tells us that if we display any of these characteristics, we are being driven by the devil and not by God.  Are there any of us who have looked at someone’s house or car and not thought of how our lives could be enhanced if only we had that house or car or the income that would give us the means of buying similar?

 

The type of wisdom that pleases our God is peace-loving and gentle.  It is forgiving, impartial, sincere, without envy and full of good deeds and those who are peacemakers will reap a harvest of goodness.

 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to be wise and learn how to make decisions in my own life and behave towards others in ways that will be pleasing to you.   As each day passes, I pray that my Godly wisdom will grow and ask you for the ability to pass that particular type of wisdom on to others. Help me to do works in good faith and good conduct without seeking to be noticed or seeking complements. In Jesus’ name I pray.    Amen