Today's Devotional

 

November 21, 2008

                                                                                                                        

Subject:  Moderation 

Philippians 4:5 - "Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand." 

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As we covered this particular passage in our bible study at church last night, I thought of a few different instances where I don't see "moderation" in people.  

One particular case is at school with my teenage cadets.  Many of them come from backgrounds quite dissimilar to the discipline and rigidity of our program so when they first encounter the strict authority, there is often a backlash.  Sometimes it becomes vulgar and profane before I have a chance to talk with them about their actions.  It usually boils down to the fact that they find it easier to "go off" than to simply talk.

Another case is when I write some of these devotionals.  Sometimes they are intentionally contentious in the subject matter.  Often some will respond with cynical and sarcastic comments and when I reply with a statement soliciting real discussion, the line goes silent.  

I think most of us find it easy to yell at others when we disagree, but the challenge that Paul is making in the scripture is to be known as level-headed and easy to be "intreated," (James 3:17) which is a word he sometimes uses.  It's ironic to me that Paul would be the person making this statement because Paul often seemed coarse in his reprimands of believers.

I have one friend who lives in Atlanta and while we share many differences on the political spectrum, if I told her "the cow jumped over the moon," she would discuss it with me as though it were a legitimate discussion topic.  She epitomizes the moderation that Paul is talking about.  

Today we should all strive to be moderate in our talk and in our actions.  It's not just important that people see us that way, but that God makes us that way.  Let us all pray to be more moderate.  The Lord is at hand.            

Carlen