Luke 3:10-14

"And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?
He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.
Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?
And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.
And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages."
Luke 3:10-14


Good stuff.  Since it is tax day in the US, I almost did Luke 2:1... but I couldn't get a spiritual confirmation that I should talk about taxes, so I guess we'll talk about something else. :)  I think this is a great scripture about how the gospel is personal to each of us, and how God knows us and our circumstances.  This scripture talks about things that John the Baptist said to people who approached him, asking what they needed to do to be able to repent and be acceptable before God.  And to people in general he said... be generous.  share.  If you have more than you need, give to someone else.  And then to the publicans, who collected the taxes, he told them to not collect more than they needed to... not to take from other people unnecessarily.  And then the soldiers asked him, and he told them to not be violent, and to not accuse anyone falsely...all of these things specifically to the people that needed them.  God knows what kinds of temptations and roadblocks are before us in our lives, and he always gives us both general and specific answers.  Sometimes we got them through personal scripture study, sometimes at church, sometimes in the temple... sometimes at work, sometimes through a conversation with a friend.  God knows us, well and individually... and he knows exactly what it is like to be who we are, and to suffer what we suffer.  That was part of the atonement... to know what it is like in our shoes.  God understands our specific circumstances in detail, as well as being able to see the context, and he knows how it all fits together.  That isn't something that you can say about ANYONE else.... I don't even think we know ourselves that well.  So, let's do as these people did, whatever their circumstances... and ask, what shall WE do... as individuals, and as a community?  And if we ask, God will answer.  It might not be a lightning bolt, but maybe an opportunity to be involved in a community project... or just in someone's life.  Each of us has a really really good reason to be here... and we can make a difference for good in this world.  Just ask God to show you how.  He will.  He's cool like that.