The nitty gritty of living

We are continuing in ordinary time to look at how to walk with God when life not so exciting or just boring. The scripture readings this week were Ephesians 4:25-5:2 and John 6:35,41-51. We’re challenged through these passages to examine how godly instruction gets down to the nitty gritty of our lives. When our lives are re-oriented around Jesus the miraculous happens, and it affects the way we treat people. Followers of Jesus choose to be his apprentices. In this apprenticeship, we have to decide to grow since spiritual maturity is not an automatic thing that just happens to people. This choice to grow involves living and speaking honestly. It means treating people with kindness, especially those closest to us. We don’t have to hurt people or run over them in order to live or to accomplish the things of God.

In the last decade I have lived in a few different cultures where there seems to be a constant tension between honesty and kindness. A few years ago I lived in a country where people are proud to be honest, yet in their honesty “truths” seem to be told in blunt, hurtful ways. Kindness and gentleness existed in the culture in other ways but didn’t seem to factor in how to tell the truth. In my current cultural context, for the most part people are very polite, showing a type of public kindness. People choose to talk about agreeable topics and try not to rock the boat too much with an honest opinion. 

Underneath the veneer of culture is the reality that people do lie and hurt each other, even Jesus followers. God is aware of our struggles and immaturity. He gives us some great practical tools to grow in these areas. Daily we can take time to allow the Holy Spirit to examine the way we interacted with people in our words and actions. God enables us to grow in self awareness. Confession is a way to practice honesty with God and people we trust. God faithfully helps us as we seek maturity and wisdom in these areas.