Rest & Rehabilitation

Our small group isn't meeting tonight, so there's a much-needed lull in our schedule that frees us to relax a little, catch our breath, maybe just maybe get to bed early. With the school play and rehearsals and the extra work there, Vicki's swamped. And with work and church, I feel the burn of having just a wee bit too much on my plate, too. But tonight we'll be able to sit in the same room for more than a couple of minutes. We might even, oh my goodness, get to make a pot of coffee and enjoy a conversation. Maybe, just maybe.

"But if we seek to be made right with God through faith in Christ and then find out that we are still sinners? Has Christ led us into sin? Of course not!"
- Gal 2:17, nlt

That verse jumps out at me today, because I've been in a "thought I was getting it right but find that there's much more to learn" mode for an extended period of time. That's the feel I get from Paul here, wondering if we miss it, or if we think we're going rightly, and find out there's more to it - is this Jesus' fault? Or is it just part of the process, part of the journey as we keep working out our salvation along the way? We've been following Christ, going in a direction, and when we think we've arrived - well, we shouldn't think we're "there" because there's more there still ahead. In context Paul talks about confronting Peter. Where Peter is trying to hold onto some of the old steretypes and prejudices, Paul pushes him towards the new way to live out the kingdom through Christ by the grace of God.

I don't usually have a problem with confrontation. If both sides are given the benefit of the doubt, and if both sides are looking for the other's mutual benefit, then let's discuss what we will and learn together. In the end, that's what we're doing - going one way, hoping by faith that it's right, and looking for correct correction when warranted. Growing in Christ is like that - we never fully arrive, life just being lived with adjustments here and adjustments there. Keep moving forward, stay close to the Father, trust that He knows what He's doing and won't lead us astray.

So, where's your mind meandering this midweek, hmmmm?