Respect

Our Friday Devotion comes to us from Council Member, Dolly:

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do." James 1: 22-25

My grandson’s third grade class at Grace Harbor School is learning James 1: 22-25 as their memory verse. Part of their assignment is to give examples that illustrate the meaning of these verses. I try not to do his homework for him, so it can be challenging to teach the concepts of a lesson without giving him the answer.

One morning, following an evening of listening to him recite his verses and working on the concept, I felt something he said to me was disrespectful. Wanting to use this opportunity to reinforce the teaching about doing what the word of God says, I told him that the Bible teaches us to respect our parents, and when we don’t bad things—punishment—result, not blessings that James says we will receive when we do what the Bible says.

I was feeling pretty good about that teaching moment … until I started thinking about the ways I show disrespect to my Father. Any time I gossip, or indulge in gluttony, or fail to show kindness, I am disrespecting God by forgetting (or ignoring) His teachings, or not listening when he uses others to teach me.

I felt recently that God was asking me “Why go to an expert for advice if you’re not going to do what they tell you?” The expert was a young chiropractor who gave me great advice, which I started to follow after that rebuke. I know you can relate in some way. Ever been told by a doctor to lose weight and exercise? Or a health expert to avoid junk food? Or a dentist to floss more frequently? Or any other good advice that you ignored?

Doctors and nutritionists and dentists are not infallible, but when their advice makes sense, it is foolish not to follow it. God IS infallible. When He gives advice, we are wise to heed it. And when we do, blessings will follow. Just ask any third-grader at Grace Harbor School about the perfect law that gives freedom. They know the Answer. Personally.

Praying for you to be blessed today,
Dolly

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