Devotional - May 24th, 2023
Scripture: James 5: 19-20 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
James' concluding remarks lack the decrescendo and closure found in many of Paul's letters, or for that matter Peter or John's either. James simply ends on his last point. He brings it to the church's attention by inviting them in with the now familiar, my brothers and sisters. He cites the issue of "wandering". JRR Tolkein had a wonderful quote pertaining to wandering when he says, not all who wander are lost. But, this kind of wandering, or curiosity, is not what James is addressing. Tolkein's kind of wandering is more meandering. James is referencing the act of wandering off or away from God. He calls on the community of faith to take responsibility for such activity. To a certain extent, we are our brothers and sisters keepers. Though we cannot live their lives for them, nor should we, we should still care about them, physically and spiritually. The question is, can we accept such activity in our own lives? Many enjoy getting involved in others' lives, but is it different with theirs? Why the double standard? It's not often that we claim our own wandering. For various reasons, we all do it, but can we claim it? Moreover, can we appreciate others' efforts to help us reorient our lives, or do we resist such efforts because we know it all? After reading James' letter, we can be assured that many in their church resisted the need for such activity in theirs. And yet, what a terrible waste it was. Why resist what God can do for you through the life of another? We get so accustomed to our perspective, and being around like minded people, we dismiss the views of another. Think about this, what if the only perspective you ever experienced of a car is from the top down. How would you ever really know what a car looked like? I'm not saying listen to everything you hear, but being open and considerate of other perspectives is worthwhile. There are times when the person who God can use to turn you from a destructive path may not be so obvious. And sometimes, that person is you for another. Whether they receive it is up to them, but offer it (1 Tim 5: 1-2, Matt 10: 11-14). How often have you said, I wish I would have said something or acted differently? The pain of such moments serves as motivation to do differently in the future. Find your way of sharing your concerns and love for others. Don't be discouraged if it goes unappreciated or unnoticed, or even resented, that's par for the course. At least you did something. To do nothing, to stay silent, that can leave you feeling much worse should the situation turn tragic. One thing to remember is, you are not offering this correction because you are perfect. You are not perfect. You are offering it because you care. Isn't it interesting that the love for another's well being is the response James gives that covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4: 8, Proverbs 10:12).
Pray with me..., Holy God, help us to accept the guidance and the blessings we receive from Your Spirit through our community of faith. Help us to be a part of that caring community. Receive our prayers for the well being of our community, our church. Guide us, so we can be Your people. Hear us as we pray for our loved ones and Your blessing upon them. In Jesus name we pray, Amen
God's peace,
Pastor Brian
