Monday, March 3 – The day after glory...

As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. ¹⁰ So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead could mean.  –Mark 9:9-10 (NRSV)

“Mountain top” experiences are always followed by mundane, everyday tasks.  After the transfiguration, the disciples had to face, first, a healing that was more challenging than they had expected...and then Jesus’ continuing journey to Jerusalem where he tells them he will face persecution, betrayal, and death ...and then be raised to life again.  They didn’t understand.

Lord Jesus, I don’t always understand what you’re doing.  I’d like to stay in times of glory.  Help me go with you into the valley of the shadow...trusting your guidance.

Saturday, March 1 – Human 2.0 – Light of the World

Tomorrow is the Transfiguration of Our Lord.  Read ahead through the ninth chapter of John.  Jesus heals a man born blind and his opposition continues to stay “in the dark.”

What gives light to your soul?  What/who has enlightened you?

Read the whole chapter and ask yourself the following questions:

1)  What word, phrase or image lingers in my thoughts?

2)  Where/How does this chapter connect with my life?

3)  What does God want me to do or be in response to his Word?

Friday, February 28 – Gentle Correction

My friends, if someone is caught in any kind of wrongdoing, those of you who are spiritual should set him right; but you must do it in a gentle way. And keep an eye on yourselves, so that you will not be tempted, too. ² Help carry one another's burdens, and in this way you will obey the law of Christ. ³ If you think you are something when you really are nothing, you are only deceiving yourself. ⁴ You should each judge your own conduct. If it is good, then you can be proud of what you yourself have done, without having to compare it with what someone else has done. ⁵ For each of you have to carry your own load. –Galatians 6:1-5 (TEV)

So we’ve removed a log or two from our own field of vision, and now we want to reach out to help a brother or sister on their way.

Paul has some practical advice for successful speck support:  gentleness, self-awareness, and humility—three essential tools.

Holy Coach, guide me to help my brothers and sisters with gentleness, self-awareness and humility.  May my desire be to build up the body of Christ, to be one in Christ together.

Thursday, February 27 – Competition or Collaboration?

If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another.             –Galatians 5:25-26 (NRSV)

In baptism we are given the same Spirit that enlivened and guided Jesus.  So the Spirit is not only the “giver of life” (Nicene Creed), but our Guide, Helper, Advocate, and Coach.

“Coach” may be an apt metaphor describing the Spirit’s work in our life, but we’re not in competition with each other!  We’re on the same team!  While competition may spur us on to higher levels of personal achievement, collaboration and coordination are the goals of the disciples of Jesus.

At times we’ll disagree and see things from different perspectives, but we’re all part of the body of Christ, guided and coached by the Spirit to work together for the common good.

Holy Coach, guide me to collaborate with my teammates.

Wednesday, February 26 – Hauling logs

You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye.  –Matthew 7:5 (NRSV)

Okay...we’re not done with our personal logging yet:  “first take the log out of your own eye...”

Have you ever watched loggers log?  It’s dangerous and hard work...and the logs are impossible to move without powerful assistance.  So it is with our personal logging.  Without the Spirit’s help we’re barking up the wrong tree (pun intended).

How many times have you tried to reform yourself and ended up exhausted and defeated?  Take a page from AA; admit you’re powerless to change yourself and know you need divine intervention.  “Pray without ceasing” is what Paul recommends.  So wrap the cable of prayer around that first log and call for help.  “Ask and if will be given you...” –Matthew 7:7

Lord Jesus, you know the hard work of hauling logs.  Give me your help that together we may do the logging I need.

Tuesday, February 25 – Log out for speck support

Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye?        –Matthew 7:3 (NRSV)

I wonder if Jesus ever got specks of sawdust in his eyes.  I’m guessing he did.  Growing up around the working of wood, I think he had ample opportunity to get a speck in his eye and to remember the experience and use it in his teaching.

Sometimes a speck will come out of your eye on its own; other times some help is needed, but you want someone with clear vision!  Can you imagine someone with a log sticking out of their eye trying to move in and help you?

So often we want to help, but need to do our own clean up first.  Why is it so easy to see another’s fault and not our own?

Where do you need to “log out” before offering ‘speck’ support?

Holy Spirit, guide me to see—and remove with your help—the obstructions that block my vision of others & their true needs.