Focus

Slow your breathing and become aware of the taking in and letting out of your breath. Focus on putting things aside so you will be open to what God is saying to you today.

Read

James 3:13-18 (NRSV)

Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.

Reflect

Life is too short to be wasted on emotions such as envy and selfishness. These states of mind bring us misery. James wrote that where there is envy and selfish ambition there will be disorder and wickedness of every kind.

Think about people you have seen who are caught up in envy and unbridled ambition. How do they act? These states of mind cause people to sin in many ways—stealing (including stealing the ideas of others), lying for personal advancement, trickery, etc.

When we receive wisdom from God, we realize that we need to be thankful for who we are and what we have. There is no harm in being ambitious, but there is harm in being ambitious at any cost. When we have wisdom from God, we help to bring peace to situations instead of creating chaos. We are gentle instead of being easily angered or annoyed with others. Have you ever seen a Christian who left behind their Christianity when it came to envy and ambition? It is not a pretty sight, is it?

Are we leaving situations better than we found them or are we helping to create unhealthy environments with our attitudes? How do you want people to remember you—as a committed Christian or as a hypocrite?

Pray

Dear God, I know that you provide us with a life that is fulfilling beyond measure. Please help me to recognize the unhealthy emotions and attitudes within my own heart. Help me to overcome these negative emotions and to transform them into useful ways of living. Please give me the wisdom to live a life of wholeness in Christ. Amen.

Go with God.