DECEMBER 12, 2023

“Declare your jihad on thirteen enemies you cannot see -egoism, arrogance, conceit, selfishness, greed, lust, intolerance, anger, lying, cheating, gossiping and slandering. If you can master and destroy them, then you will be ready to fight the enemy you can see.” 

― أبو حامد الغزالي

HOSEA 12-14

9Who is wise? Let them realize these things.

Who is discerning? Let them understand.

The ways of the Lord are right;

the righteous walk in them,

but the rebellious stumble in them.(14:9) 

REVELATION 3

These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 15I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

19Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

21To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

JOURNAL 

The mind is a tricky thing. The fact that we have the ability to stand apart from ourselves and view our actions and thoughts is truly a divine gift. It also though is why we ultimately have no excuse for behavior that does not glorify God. We have a choice. Even though there are competing emotions and habits that many times will lead me away from godly choices, I still have the ability to choose whether or not to follow those emotions and habits. 

To truly follow God I must acknowledge and accept that many of my emotions and habits are contrary to God. The effect of this acceptance is what is really tough. It means that I am able to see my sin and my dance with darkness. That's not a pretty picture and it's one that I typically want to avoid. This is why reading and studying the Bible is so important  It constantly forces me to see my own thoughts and actions juxtaposed to scripture and the words of God, and ultimately see myself through God's eyes. 

This is the daily challenge of my walk with God. To not be wary of this struggle is the path of arrogance. To become fully aware is to embrace the humility that drives me to the feet of God. It also serves as a reminder that I am no different than those I tend to vilify. Father what a mess we humans are! Thank you for loving and saving us in spite of our mess, our evil, our flirtations and fascination with darkness.

1As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Ephesians 4:1-6