Daily Office Readings, Year 2
  Proper Twenty-Two   

Sunday, October 5, 2008

KEY VERSE: "For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God." - 1 Cor 2:10-11


  Sometimes it's hard to understand ourselves. It's more difficult to understand another.  Even after years of marriage to a man of very steady habits,there are times when I just don't understand what motivates my dear husband.  But people -- those who know us both well -- observe that after more than 45 years of marriage, we continue to grow more and more similar to each other.   That's good news - too many couple report their marriages went sour as they"grew apart." Growing together -- becoming more like each other -- makes the bond stronger.

Growing more like each other increases understanding.  It was that idea which led John Howard Griffin to reason that he was unable to fully understand what life was like for an African-American man.  Such understanding would only be possible if he became like one.  So he darkened his skin with medications, tanning lamps, and stains to prepare for his journeys throughout the American south.

His experiences formed the basis of his book, "Black Like Me." It provided white Americans a new understanding of the problems of discrimination and injustice suffered by Americans of color.   Only by "becoming Black," was Griffin able to experience the ordinary problems faced by African-Americans, and make them more apparent to his white readers.

Paul tells the Corinthians we can't know the thoughts and hearts of others -- only ourselves.  The wonder of the gospel is that Christ became like us; he understands all the problems we face.   And he offers us help with them.

We receive the Holy Spirit when we come to faith, but we come to experience it fully -- to let its influence transform our lives --- as we spend time in the spiritual disciplines.  It is through prayer, Bible Study, meditation on scripture that we develop not just an understanding of Christ's spirit, but transformation of our spirits, so that we grow in our  resemblance to Christ.  To receive the Holy Spirit, we only have to believe and accept Christ's gift of salvation. To be really "filled" with the Holy Spirit,we have to spend enough time in spiritual disciplines that the spirit can transform lives and attitudes.

ACTIVITY FOR THE DAY:  Spend time in prayer and scripture study and meditation today and each day, so that you will become more sensitive and attuned to the Holy Spirit that is within you.

PRAYER:  Dearest Lord Jesus, thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Help me to spend my time, thoughts and energy each day in ways that will increase my faith and faithfulness, so that I may serve and honor you all the days of my life. Amen.
 
JOURNALING NOTES:

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