Focus

Let yourself become open to God and the knowledge that comes from the Word. Ask God for peace at this time.

Read

Colossians 2:16-3:1 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Therefore do not let anyone condemn you in matters of food and drink or of observing festivals, new moons, or sabbaths. These are only a shadow of what is to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. Do not let anyone disqualify you, insisting on self-abasement and worship of angels, dwelling on visions, puffed up without cause by a human way of thinking, and not holding fast to the head, from whom the whole body, nourished and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows with a growth that is from God.

If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the universe, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world? Why do you submit to regulations, “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch”? All these regulations refer to things that perish with use; they are simply human commands and teachings. These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-imposed piety, humility, and severe treatment of the body, but they are of no value in checking self-indulgence.
So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

Reflect

I grew up in the South, a place where people hold on to tradition like it’s a family heirloom. Don’t get me wrong, tradition is precious to me. I have attended small rural churches all of my life and I am currently the pastor of one. My church is two-hundred years old. To this day we still share some traditions that are as old as the church. I also love family traditions. Every Sunday, after church, my family joins together for lunch. We share a meal and, if the weather permits, we take a walk together. Church and family tradition fill me with love and joy.

However, tradition can sometimes cause a blockade on the road to spiritual growth. Every believer in Christ is different and unique in many ways. We all think differently, love differently, share differently, believe differently, and many of us perceive our all-mighty God differently. That means the path to spiritual growth does not have one road, it has many roads and they all lead to God. It doesn’t matter how you worship, pray, observe sabbath, or celebrate God’s holy presence. What matters is your spiritual growth and the relationship you build with our loving Creator on your journey.

Pray

Heavenly God, you created us all very differently and unique. We give thanks to you for that! We ask that you lead us to the path that strengthens our love for you and our relationship with you. We are blessed that you have given us these paths through Jesus Christ, love in its purest form. You are everywhere, in the smallest and in the greatest things. Let us see you everywhere that you are. In the name of Love in its purest form, AMEN

Go with God!