We are the Lord's servants. Our duty is to not be quarrelsome and to be kind to everyone. We must also be able to teach while patiently enduring evil and correcting our opponents with gentleness. That's a big charge! However, the payoff is eternal because if we do these things, perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of truth. Isn't that our hope especially for the students we serve and the colleagues with serve with?
Each day during this season of Lent, I will post one verse and pray it with you. Consider saying the verse in your quiet time and praying it also. You may use the same prayer or try your own. Each day until Easter (except Sundays) there will be a new post that contains: a verse, a small reflection, a prayer using the Scripture and an image. Feel free to share the images because I made them with the Bible Lens app and took all the pictures. What a creative God we serve!
Day 28
2 Timothy 2:24-25 English Standard Version (ESV)
24 And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,
This verse makes me think of the grievance system between the unions and administration. When things are not going the way we think they should, we have the right to grieve the situation. Sometimes it becomes a helpful tool to bring issues to solution, but too often it's used as a weapon. What if every Christian educator modeled this verse? Would it mean that nothing evil would come our way? On the contrary, it's almost a guarantee that evil will be experienced, but if we answered our opponents with gentleness, not being quarrelsome, while being kind, there may be quite a different outcome. No doubt, it's hard to do, but this is one of the ways transformation can happen with God's love and truth.
Dear Lord,
We are so grateful to Your wisdom and grace. How can we show gentleness when are opponents are accusing us? You teach us in Your Word not to be quarrelsome. You will need to help us Lord. We always want to let them know our point of view. Your way is always so different and surprising. Help us Lord to be kind to everyone (including our opponents) with gentleness so that You may perhaps grant them the repentance that leads to a knowledge of Your Truth. What a gift Lord. Have mercy on us. We ask this in the strong name of Jesus. Amen.
Prayerfully yours,
K
Karen C. Seddon
CEAI - Christian Educators Assoc. Int.
State Director for Florida
407.892.5651
....an unqualified recipient of His unconditional love
2 Timothy 3:16 -17- All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
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