Verse:
“Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they received from us.”
Thought:
Did you know that busybody is in the Bible. It is not a story about Martha and Mary, it was Paul talking to
the church in Thessalonica. Paul, in this letter, was trying to help the church get back to doing what they
were supposed to be doing. This has such a powerful word for us, as Christians, today. With so much going
on in our lives, today often takes charge of us. I have to go to the store. I have to read the newspaper,
and certainly, at 3:00pm I had to hear the verdict on the Peterson case. Hair needs to be done, groceries
need to be bought, and I can’t forget about Bible Study coming up. Gotta read.
Hear the Good News, we don't have to be busybodies to serve God, all we have to do is simply appreciate the day
before us and allow God to use us. In Paul’s letter he pinpoints the busybody, the one working but doing nuthin
(Paul was from East Texas you know!). For some reason we think busy is working. Busy is busy, doing something,
but working is working. And while we could spend all day coming up with a suitable definition of work, we turn
to Paul to see his solution. Example. He is crystal clear in what he said to the church. “We set an example.”
Today, as Christians in a society where faith is secondary, we must set an example of how not only to face the day,
but to see it as the gift that it is. We get to love one another, even the ones who don’t love us. We get to; it
is our privilege as Christians. We get to make a difference in other people’s lives. We get to grow, serve and
love. Today is not one to just piddle with. You have something to offer the world, believe it or not. Take charge,
live today as the gift it is. Then it is time to conquer today instead of being conquered.
Prayer:
Gracious God, thank You for allowing me to love others and serve You. There are so many distractions in the world and so many empty actions we find ourselves sucked into. Often times we feel as though we are stuck in a bad movie. Help me to have the necessary focus to serve You and love others. Thank You for all You have done and all You continue to do. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Grace & Peace
Rev. David Banks
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