Today's Daily Bread
The Life We’d Like To See
The annual Texas Book Festival in Austin draws thousands of people
who enjoy browsing for books, attending discussions led by acclaimed
authors, and gleaning advice from professional writers. At one such
festival, an author of young adult fiction told aspiring writers, “Write
the book that you want to find on the shelf.” That’s a powerful
recommendation for writing and for living. What if we decided to live
the way we want everyone else to live?
In Luke 6:27-36, Jesus urged His followers to pursue a lifestyle that
demonstrates God’s mercy to all: “Love your enemies, do good to those
who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who
spitefully use you” (vv.27-28). He also said that generosity and a lack
of retaliation should characterize our reaction to unreasonable
treatment (vv.29-30). Jesus concluded, “Just as you want men to do to
you, you also do to them likewise” (v.31).
Impossible? Yes, if we rely on our own strength and resolve. The
strength comes from the Spirit. And the resolve comes from remembering
how God has treated us: “He is kind to the unthankful and evil.
Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful” (vv.35-36).
That’s a life we all long to see.
All the way my Savior leads me—
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
Who through life has been my Guide? —Crosby
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
Who through life has been my Guide? —Crosby
Christianity is not just Christ in you,
but Christ living His life through you.
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