Scripture Verse that Caught my attention today: Philippians 3:21 He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself.
Observation: It’s a God thing.
Application: At a recent “boundaries” seminar for clergy we were reminded by our bishop that, whether we are willing to admit it or not, each of us has the capacity for evil. Although it might be tempting (perhaps especially when reading the news headlines of any given day) to delude ourselves into thinking that we would never do ‘that,’ in reality, given the right (or would it be ‘wrong?’) circumstances, any of us could respond in a very unhealthy way. The purpose of the boundaries seminar was to encourage us to do the kinds of things that help us maintain good physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual health so that we are less likely to do the various kinds of things that are destructive not only to our respective relationships and congregations, and also to us personally. Healthy people realize that it doesn’t take much for any of us to become, as Paul termed it, the ‘body of our humiliation.’
By the same token, the Apostle Paul reminds us that through Jesus we have the promise that the ‘body of our humiliation’ will “be conformed to the body of his glory.” That’s true for us as individuals (whether we are clergy or lay) and also for congregations as a whole. God does what we in and of ourselves cannot do. It’s a God thing…and it’s a Good thing.
Prayer: Lord, thanks for the ultimate boundary that we have in you. Helps us to respond to such good news with the grace to maintain other healthy boundaries as well. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Readings today included: 1 Kings 13-14, 2 Chronicles 12, and Philippians 3)
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