Day 6: January 13, 2024
Planting the Seeds of Goodness
Passage: Romans 12: 19-21 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Ponder: You’ve probably seen an old western movie or two. And one may have contained a scene where, Lord forbid, the tavern in town is burning down. The towns folk formed a line stretching from the closest water trough, across the dusty street to the fire. Buckets would be filled from the trough and passed person-to person till it reached the fire and was dumped on the flames. Intense drama, right? What you had was an old fashion bucket brigade. Believe it or not, you are an official, lifelong member of a bucket brigade.
Every day, you and I carry two buckets with us everywhere we go. One bucket contains water, the other gasoline. And as we encounter people, be it at home, or work, or just going about our business of the day, we have opportunities to empty one of those buckets. Someone offends you or disrespects you, a little fire of conflict begins to kindle. Now if you respond with anger and self-righteousness, you’re going to dump a load of flammable attitude, igniting a raging fire that will ultimately consume you. Yet you could have chosen to do good, and poured the bucket of water on the fire, leaving vengeance for God, and not creating more conflict. The Christlike way is always the bucket of water, which is the spiritual fruit of goodness. Plant the seeds of goodness today by responding in a loving, kind way to others.
Practice: Is there presently a fire that has ignited in a relationship of yours? What can you do to quinch those flames today? What are some of the things you can prepare to carry in your bucket of water each day?
Prayer: Lord, I acknowledge that I tend to reach for the bucket of gasoline more than the water when I’m hurt and offended. And I admit, carrying this gasoline is getting heavy. Forgive me for my anger and vengeance and creating more harm than good sometimes. And help me to remember in the heat of any moment, I have a bucket of water called goodness, and let it be my first response. AMEN.
Planting the Seeds of Goodness
Passage: Romans 12: 19-21 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Ponder: You’ve probably seen an old western movie or two. And one may have contained a scene where, Lord forbid, the tavern in town is burning down. The towns folk formed a line stretching from the closest water trough, across the dusty street to the fire. Buckets would be filled from the trough and passed person-to person till it reached the fire and was dumped on the flames. Intense drama, right? What you had was an old fashion bucket brigade. Believe it or not, you are an official, lifelong member of a bucket brigade.
Every day, you and I carry two buckets with us everywhere we go. One bucket contains water, the other gasoline. And as we encounter people, be it at home, or work, or just going about our business of the day, we have opportunities to empty one of those buckets. Someone offends you or disrespects you, a little fire of conflict begins to kindle. Now if you respond with anger and self-righteousness, you’re going to dump a load of flammable attitude, igniting a raging fire that will ultimately consume you. Yet you could have chosen to do good, and poured the bucket of water on the fire, leaving vengeance for God, and not creating more conflict. The Christlike way is always the bucket of water, which is the spiritual fruit of goodness. Plant the seeds of goodness today by responding in a loving, kind way to others.
Practice: Is there presently a fire that has ignited in a relationship of yours? What can you do to quinch those flames today? What are some of the things you can prepare to carry in your bucket of water each day?
Prayer: Lord, I acknowledge that I tend to reach for the bucket of gasoline more than the water when I’m hurt and offended. And I admit, carrying this gasoline is getting heavy. Forgive me for my anger and vengeance and creating more harm than good sometimes. And help me to remember in the heat of any moment, I have a bucket of water called goodness, and let it be my first response. AMEN.
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