We
are to obey our leaders and submit to them.
We are also to go about our relationship with our leaders so that their
interaction with us causes them joy rather than grief. After all, it is our leaders who are charged
with being God’s hand in our life with respect to our spirituality. The author then asks for prayer for himself
and those working with him so that they may act with a clear conscience and in
a manner that brings honor to God. The
author then urges that the readers of the letter take serious the need to
uphold him in prayer so that he can return to their midst.
Thoughts for Today
First Thought:
Obey
and submit. These are two of the most
challenging words to human beings. We
don’t like to obey. We don’t like to
submit. As human beings we want to be
free. We want to live like we
desire. We don’t want to be confined or
tied down. Yet, the example of Jesus is
obedience. He obeyed the Father. He allowed His life to be snuffed out on the
cross as an act of obedience. This does
not mean we blindly obey. However, if we
are following Christ we do need to adopt an action of discerning obedience to
God and to those spiritual leaders through whom God is working in our lives.
Why
do you think obedience is so difficult for every single human being? Can you make an argument that ties our desire
for complete and utter independence to sin against God? What does this mean for you and your faith?
Second Thought:
Our
leaders are charged with our spiritual well-being. They have been entrusted with our care. They are the ones that help to put us on a
track of spiritual growth. They bring
challenge into our life. However, they also
bring stability. They bring a sounding
board and a help in time of trouble. We
need to look upon our spiritual leaders with all of these things in mind and do
our best to make sure that our spiritual leaders look upon these roles in our
life with joy.
Is
it hard being a Christian? What argument
would this passage make about the difficulty of being not only spiritual, but a
spiritual leader? How do you interact
with your spiritual leaders in your life?
Third Thought:
The
author asks for prayer. This seems like
such a simple thing. It is often
overlooked. Many times we think of
prayer as a mere formality or something to be “checked off the list” – like
before a meal, before and after a meeting, etc.
But prayer is one of the most powerful tools that we have in our arsenal
as spiritual people. We should pray for
one another. We should ask God to help
us live lives that bring honor and glory to God’s name. We should be a people
of prayer always.
How
often do you honestly pray – that is, a prayer which is not simply a
fulfillment of a habit? When you pray,
for what and for whom do you pray?
Passage for Tomorrow:
Hebrews 13:20-21
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