"But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked."
2 Nephi 21:4
The phrase "reprove with equity" struck me today. I think that is cool. We all need to be reproved sometimes, and need to reprove others... but how often is it done with equity? Hardly ever, I think. As kids, we might get yelled at for something that is completely unfair or that we didn't do... and although it does get a little better as we grow up, it still happens frequently (especially for call center employees I would say). We have a hard time seeing the whole picture. We're biased by so many things, and we tend to reprove people we love very differently than people we don't know, or that we have no particular affection for. We tend to just lash out at anything and anyone when we're frustrated. This verse might seem harsh on the outside, but the amazing chewy center is that God is doing it all with perfect equity. With righteousness and understanding and love. With God, we're never reproved for something unfairly, but on the other hand, we never get away with things that we shouldn't. God gives us another chance, but a chance to do better, not a free pass to go screw up again. And in the end, we will be judged by what we are choosing, and who we have become. Today, let's work on improving ourselves and the way we treat the people around us (including call center employees). :)
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
2 Corinthians 1:18-20 -- On Being Agreeable
"But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay.
For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea.
For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us."
2 Corinthians 1:18-20
I like this idea of being Yea, and Amen... being agreement and concord rather than disagreement and discord. The idea that God is positive and not negative... for good things.
It seems like what we should be too. I think sometimes we get too much into the anti-spirit. Being anti-whatever someone else believes, rather than pro-whatever we believe. Today, let's try to focus on the pro... on the Yea and the Amen. On the common beliefs, and what we can share and build on. If we focus less on what makes us different, maybe we'll start finding things to agree on, even with people we never thought we would understand.
One thing that is amazing to me is how Christ in the New Testament was able to answer even the hardest questions... and how prophets who go on talk shows can do the same thing. They never get trapped into saying something embarrassing. Maybe part of it is this. The amazing ability to always focus on the positive... on the yea. To see the myriads of other options in conversation rather than the emotional denial of an accusation. :) To find the positive and uplifting even in the midst of an attack. Today, let's work on being yea. On saying yes to something, even if our emotions are saying no. :) Is that what they mean when they say people are agreeable? :)
For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea.
For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us."
2 Corinthians 1:18-20
I like this idea of being Yea, and Amen... being agreement and concord rather than disagreement and discord. The idea that God is positive and not negative... for good things.
It seems like what we should be too. I think sometimes we get too much into the anti-spirit. Being anti-whatever someone else believes, rather than pro-whatever we believe. Today, let's try to focus on the pro... on the Yea and the Amen. On the common beliefs, and what we can share and build on. If we focus less on what makes us different, maybe we'll start finding things to agree on, even with people we never thought we would understand.
One thing that is amazing to me is how Christ in the New Testament was able to answer even the hardest questions... and how prophets who go on talk shows can do the same thing. They never get trapped into saying something embarrassing. Maybe part of it is this. The amazing ability to always focus on the positive... on the yea. To see the myriads of other options in conversation rather than the emotional denial of an accusation. :) To find the positive and uplifting even in the midst of an attack. Today, let's work on being yea. On saying yes to something, even if our emotions are saying no. :) Is that what they mean when they say people are agreeable? :)
Thursday, November 4, 2010
2 Nephi 8:11
"Therefore, the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy and holiness shall be upon their heads; and they shall obtain gladness and joy; sorrow and mourning shall flee away."
2 Nephi 8:11
I love it when God gives us a glimpse of the future, helping us to remember how temporary our problems are, how ephemeral our pain, how insignificant our ambitions, and how short our sight. We get so wrapped up with the now and the obstacles and frustrations that sometimes we lose our perspective (and our cool). Today, let’s take a step back, remembering that God has it under control, even when we don’t. … I absolutely love the image of coming with singing unto Zion. I picture us all holding hands and walking up in a kind of Sound of Music shot… singing and happy, ready to make that gladness for sorrow and joy for mourning exchange. :) Maybe today we can remember that in the future everything will be okay. The happy ending is already there… we just have to keep turning pages. :) Perhaps that will help us enjoy today’s chapter a little bit more.
2 Nephi 8:11
I love it when God gives us a glimpse of the future, helping us to remember how temporary our problems are, how ephemeral our pain, how insignificant our ambitions, and how short our sight. We get so wrapped up with the now and the obstacles and frustrations that sometimes we lose our perspective (and our cool). Today, let’s take a step back, remembering that God has it under control, even when we don’t. … I absolutely love the image of coming with singing unto Zion. I picture us all holding hands and walking up in a kind of Sound of Music shot… singing and happy, ready to make that gladness for sorrow and joy for mourning exchange. :) Maybe today we can remember that in the future everything will be okay. The happy ending is already there… we just have to keep turning pages. :) Perhaps that will help us enjoy today’s chapter a little bit more.