A Good List
“Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.” 2 Corinthians 13:11
INSIGHT
I am not a big list person in day-to-day life. I enjoy having a sort of open-handed approach to each day and letting life throw what it has at me. My wife Denise though loves a good list. The more listed life could be for her, the better. Sometimes in Scripture we get a list. These lists are a breath of fresh air considering how some areas of Scripture take time to digest. Paul wrote in his letter to the church in Corinth a list that should challenge all of us who have made the decision to follow Jesus.
As Paul wrapped up his letter, he left them with some challenges to make a part of their lives. These challenges would allow them to share their walk with Jesus. For us in 2021, the list could do us some good too. Check and see if these items are in our walks with Jesus for the world to see.
- Rejoice: When was the last time you found a reason to rejoice? In today’s world, rejoicing can be a challenge and we can easily convince ourselves we do not have a reason to rejoice. But even on our worst day, we can rejoice in being God’s child. Even when nothing goes our way, God looks at us and reminds us that He loves us, is proud of us, and will never leave us.
- Aim for restoration: Restoration is about mending what is broken, inside of us as individuals as well as a society. We have God-given access to restoration. God specializes in restoring what is broken, and His Spirit in us is always working towards restoration. God restores us every step of the way, and He gives us the desire to see restoration in the world around us.
- Comfort one another: Jesus loved to make people uncomfortable in their beliefs. Jesus also made people uncomfortable in their routines and traditions. However, Jesus never let someone go uncared for in their pain. Jesus comforted people with hope. Hope that their suffering had a greater purpose and a greater plan. Jesus carries that same comfort for you and me today. No matter what we go through, He is there to comfort us with His presence.
- Agree with one another and live in peace: These last two work hand-in-hand to show others the Jesus we follow. Agreeing with one another does not happen with every single instance. However, as Christ followers, we have to agree that the greatest act we do each and every day is to love others. A crucial component of the greatest commandment is to love others as we love ourselves. When love takes the lead in our lives, there is a great presence of peace.
When you and I walk with Jesus, we begin to see the realities of Paul’s words in our own lives. They become embedded in our DNA and we learn to live them out. If the list above appeals to you, then your walk with Jesus will help you find them. Believe it or not, this list only scratches the surface of all that waits for us in a walk with Jesus. Just when we think Jesus has shown us what He is made of, He brings us in deeper and closer for a better look.
REFLECTION
Pray these verses every day this week, and see how the Lord moves and works in your life.
PRAYER
Father, thank you for being a God of love and peace. Your love is evident from the sacrifice You were willing to make for me. Your peace is evident in Your presence that is with me every moment of every day. I praise You for being You, and ask this all in Your holy name, Amen.
Port City writer Davy Nance wrote today’s devotional.
