Be completely humble and gentle, be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:2-3
Ephesians 4:2-3
I love how God's Truth is so powerful... and how He makes it stick in our brains to really grow there and invade our being until we're not the same... Ever since the women's retreat, I have not had our "theme" verse out of my mind for more than a few hours - really! What I love about how it got there (aside from reading it quite a few times before) was how skillfully Roberta taught/talked about it - specifically the word "completely" and phrase "Make EVERY effort" - they just floor me. Only by the righteousness of Jesus Christ given to me am I to ever hope to attain these measures...
Completeness lacks nothing.
COMPLETE humility...
COMPLETE gentleness...
Every effort...
Not just when I feel like it...
Not just when I feel like I can...
Never a time when I don't make effort...
Where this really hits home is when I am reminded of the gentleness and patience parts when I am with Sarah when either I am grumpy, when she is being a two year old, or both. It really helps to have this pop into my mind at times like those. I'm not one to have friends or people in my life that I fight with, but I do realize that how I model humility, gentleness, and patience is how Sarah is learning these qualities (in addition to seeing Todd who seems to excel in these naturally). If I am rude to Sarah, if I am short with her, if I say, "I love you" yet communicate with my actions that my priorities are more important than her, she really learns pride, roughness, and impatience. This responsibility seems crushing sometimes, but right now it inspires me to be, by His Spirit, the woman He wants me to be for His sake and the mother I can be for Sarah's sake...
The other part of verse 3 that was so well explained is keeping the unity of the Spirit. NOT the "spirit of unity" - which is what the world has... but the unity of HIS Spirit. God is never divided against Himself. The Trinity is never at odds or awkward around each other... If His Spirit lives in me, then it should be that, always by His grace and choosing to be obedient, I will make every effort to not be in conflict with those who also have His Spirit living in them... Thank you Jesus for your Truth that resonates...
6 comments:
Wow! Thank you. I needed this right now.
Amen.
Second time that word completely has come up today. Completely Saves. These really are good things to meditate on and respond to. So much to understand and learn about "living in the Spirit"
These are awesome verses for us to engrain in ourselves and our children, and SO important to think about what it really means to apply the words in all areas of our lives. I know I fall very short w/ gentleness and patience w/ my kids at times. Thank you so much for sharing Abbey.
i have to know how you did that update thing with your links.
Thanks Abbey! I'm so blessed to have Godly women like you in my life that inspire and encourage me to keep on racing towards our goals. Amen sista!
Thanks, Abbey, for a posting that has resonated in me. Sometimes you need to hear someone else say it in such a way that it just sort of "clicks." I appreciate that you took the time to do this!
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