Listen

One person considers some days to be more sacred than others, while another person considers all days to be the same. Each person must have their own convictions. Someone who thinks that a day is sacred, thinks that way for the Lord. Those who eat, eat for the Lord, because they thank God. And those who don’t eat, don’t eat for the Lord, and they thank the Lord too. We don’t live for ourselves and we don’t die for ourselves. If we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we belong to God. This is why Christ died and lived: so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.

Romans 14:5-9

Think

I love this verse: “Therefore, whether we live or die, we belong to God.” I often hear this verse read at funerals; in times when we are confronted with the uncertainty and grief of death. But this is a truth that shapes not just our understanding of death, but also of life. No matter what happens, we belong to God.

I find this truth a great comfort. In times when we feel afraid, alone, or uncertain, we can remember that we belong to God. Nothing can separate us from God’s love. And even more, this truth shapes how we interact with the people around us, because they belong to God, too. Even people with whom we might disagree, who bug us, or who get under our skin. God claims all of us as God’s own.

Nick Carson

Question to Ponder:

How do you love your neighbor, especially the one you don’t get along with?

Pray

God, remind me when I forget that I belong to you.

Remind me when I forget that my neighbor does too.

Amen.

Go

Give thanks for here. For now. For you. Amen.