Focus

Experience silence in the midst of your busy day. Take some time to relax into a time to be with God.

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Read

Ephesians 4:1-16 (NRSV)

I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.

But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it is said,

“When he ascended on high he made captivity itself a captive;
he gave gifts to his people.”

(When it says, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is the same one who ascended far above all the heavens, so that he might fill all things.) The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.

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Reflect

As Christians, we are part of the family of God. We have the awesome privilege of being called Christ’s very own. As members of the body of Christ, we should be understanding, patient, humble, and gentle to others. How we live our lives will impact others, for they should see Christ in us.

Growing as a Christian is a process. Even though we are given a new nature in Christ, we will not always have good thoughts or attitudes. Change will come through the Holy Spirit as we trust in God.

Take a look back over the last year. How have you seen a change for the better in your thoughts? attitudes? actions? As we grow in faith, we should not remain as little children, but mature each and every day. Therefore, we must put on the new role and head in a new direction. We will learn how to have a new way of thinking that comes through the Holy Spirit.

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Pray

Lord, grant us the wisdom to become more like you in everything we do. Fill us with the Holy Spirit so we may learn how to be more loving. Amen.

Go with God.