Life Lessons - November 16
Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 101, 109:1-4(5-19)20-30; PM Psalm 119:121-144
Mal. 1:1, 6-14; James 3:13-4:12; Luke 17:11-19
In the opening words of Love is the Way, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry shares that one of his daughters asked him what he was writing about. His answer to her was this: “Some of what I’ve learned from faith, family, community, and ancestors.”
Her response summarized what she heard, “So you’re writing about life lessons?”
Yes. Exactly. Lessons of struggle. Lessons of support. Lessons of being beloved children of God together. Curry cites the influences upon his own path, including his father, grandmother, and Dr. Martin Luther King, who said, “We must learn to live together as brother or perish together as fools.” For if we choose the latter, we turn our backs on community and descend into chaos. Curry suggests that this was true in the 1960s and it is true today.
These nuggets of wisdom and life lessons are woven into the message in the Epistle from James appointed for today, too. Written for an audience that long preceded us, the Christian community was struggling to work through tensions in togetherness. Living “right” is sometimes hard, even when we are grounded in God’s love. This letter from James brings up honest and important topics today. For example, he asks of the community, “Who is wise and understanding among you?” Can you imagine the people lifting their eyes or standing up straighter, as if to subtly gesture that they fall into this category?
James continues, “Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth.” You see, that is where sin and brokenness, disorder and wickedness seep into the cracks…when we put the “I” first. James allows that to sink in and then moves to show the better way – God’s way: “wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy.”
In the last 24 hours, there was a parenting tension in our house. A sick kid. A failure to communicate. And frustration. It is tough. And I hear James’ words speaking right to my heart. It is hard to live in community. It is a challenge to stay tethered to the wisdom of God, when I stumble over my own selfishness and insistence on control.
James’ words are humbling to me right now. Life lessons are like that. It is the gift of Holy Scripture, staying grounded in the Word.
The final words of chapter 3 are these: “And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.” James ends with a message of hopefulness.
Friends, let us make peace today with our words, our hearts, our hands – always grounded and guided in God’s abiding love.
Katherine+
Questions for Reflection
What life lessons do you pass along to others?
Where do wisdom and faith collide for you?
Daily Challenge
Reread the passage from James 3:13 - 4:12. Listen for where you feel conflict or want to say, "Yeah, but...". Spend ten minutes journaling about how God is working on you through wisdom and life lessons.