Bible Reading: Philippians 1:3-4, 9-11
I thank my God every time I remember you.
In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy
And this is my prayer:
that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
A Reflection:
How you decide what to buy someone for their birthday or for Christmas?
They may have written a present list, you might ask them what they would like, or maybe they’ve let slip an idea that helps you decide. Sometimes though you just know, especially when the person is someone close to you, a loved one maybe.
When it comes to deciding what God wants us to do, I think a similar pattern applies. With some things there are clear guidelines in the bible as to what is right or wrong, what would be helpful for you or for others, or what wouldn’t. At other times the guidance is more of a hint than a specific instruction, but it is still enough to help us decide what is best. Where this is not the case we might pray for specific guidance and, in one way or another, God will show us in his good time.
At other times, though we just know what is right because of the love we have for God and for the people around us.
In writing to the Philippians, Paul prays that their love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight so that they may be able to discern what is best.
Discerning what is best in life, as with choosing presents, comes from a relationship of love. Let us then discover more of God's amazing love for us, shown to us in the person of Jesus, and let us allow that love to guide the decisions we make.
Are there choices you need to make, or decisions you need to make today or in the future? Letting love guide you, both your love for God and your love for those who will be affected, is a good way to help you to discern what is best.
God's choices for us are always based on his love for us. Let us therefore make sure that the choices we make in life are based on our love for him and for each other.
Pray:
Father God, you showed your great love for me by sending your son Jesus to die for me, may your love guide me in all the choices I make today and always. Amen
My Lighthouse