Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Repent & Return
“Everyone
should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry”(19)
It is a known
human trait to be opinionated. While it varies between races, gender, and one’s
age, we all tend to react to situations based on our mind set and experiences
from the past. Often, we are quick to respond and react, which could result in
long lasting negativity. Responding with anger makes things more complicated.
As we hear often, “anger brings danger.” Our words and deeds hold a mirror up
to our inner state. When I was reading through the verse “Be quick to listen,
slow to speak and slow to become angry”, an old African proverb came to mind,
which states "A talkative bird will not make a nest”. A good listener will
be far more productive than a person who is quick to respond. As James 1:20
reads, “Man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.”
The Spirit of the Lord brings forth a loving atmosphere that promotes peace and
harmony. Traditional Hindu Philosophy insists on attaining morning peace that
will last all day, by doing “daily worship of the dawn” which continued in the
Christian tradition as early-morning prayer and devotion. Sit in quietness and
worship the creator in the serenity of the very early morning hours. But,
today’s generation is constantly on the move and often does not find time to
attain this sanctity. We run in vain at the risk of losing our peace and
sanctity. We need to examine our inner state and see where it is tense and
where it is too loose.
Here James is
urging us to be doers of the word rather than on-lookers and passers-by.
As we are saved by the great Grace of the Lord, we ought to spread that Grace
to the ones around us. One’s positive attitude initiates positive thoughts in
others while a depressing mind spreads sorrow. In Paul’s terms, rejoicing in
the Lord is not a random event, rather it is a lifestyle. Verse 26 is a steep
challenge to those of us who are not listeners, but not doers: “If anyone
considers himself as religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his
tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless”. The One who
knows all our thoughts and deeds can strengthen us through our deep commitments
and actions that glorify His name. When we face the manifold challenges and
trials of life, God is the one to lead us and He is the one who keeps us
standing, and those who depend on Him and His words will not fall.
Prayer: God, let Thy words penetrate into our
hearts so that we will dwell on them and express Thy spirit through our words
and actions, and in turn help those who are around us to follow Thy words. Let
us repent and be reformed with Thy Spirit. Amen
Thought for
the day: ‘Be the doers
not the listeners’
Dr. Eapen Daniel,
Philadelphia