Practicing What I Preach

In last Sunday’s sermon, I tried to begin an answer to the question that was raised in the Gospel we read (Luke 3:7-18). It was the question of “What should we then do?” The people who asked this question then suffered great grief and sorrow because they lived in such a broken and violent world.   So do we. They wanted to know how they could make their world better. So do we. What should we then do?

Of course time did not permit a full discussion of the answer to that question before us, and I am not smart enough to know the full answer in the first place. But I wanted to suggest that the place for me to begin is with me, and what things I can do differently to create a better world. And the place for you to begin is with you, and what specific things you can do differently to create a better world.

I tried to follow John the Baptist’s example in the answer he provided by giving clear, specific, practical steps we can take, and do so right here, right now. The point of these steps was to build better relationships and forge deeper connections both with the people we love and with the people nobody seems to care much about.  And they are all around us for those with eyes to see.

Yesterday, I decided to do a radical thing and actually practice what I preach. This is such a busy time of year anyhow, and these last few days have been busier and more demanding than I ever could have imagined. I would not have wanted to imagine them. The point is, there are simply not enough hours in the day.

But you know what? There never are.

That’s why our values and priorities are so important. They guide us in making good decisions about how to invest our limited resources of time and energy, and blood, sweat and tears.

A family at church recently acquired some new pets they’ve been wanting me to meet. I knew my daughter would really love meeting them as well. So in the late afternoon, I dropped everything and spent some great time with my younger daughter as we made that visit. Seeing her smile did my heart much needed good.

No, I did not get everything done yesterday I wanted or needed to get done. But I think I did what was important.

Comments

[Jess]

I love looking through an article that will make people think.
Also, thanks for allowing me to comment!

[mindy]

picking up our second daughter today; we'll be going to the feed store to see chickens. Hope we enjoy it as much as you two enjoyed your snakey visit. (and wonder if Jill will see a cornsnake and beg for it as she's done for about ten years.) Merry and peaceful Christmas to all the Merolas, furry, scaly or otherwise!