Focus
Pay attention to the tension in your body. Let go of it and any expectations to do anything other than God’s will today. Prepare yourself to hear God’s word.
Read
23 “All things are permitted,” but not all things are beneficial. “All things are permitted,” but not all things build up. 24 Do not seek your own advantage but that of the other. 25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience, 26 for “the earth and its fullness are the Lord’s.” 27 If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, out of consideration for the one who informed you and for the sake of conscience— 29 I mean the other’s conscience, not your own. For why should my freedom be subject to the judgment of someone else’s conscience? 30 If I partake with thankfulness, why should I be denounced because of that for which I give thanks?
31 So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. 32 Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage but that of many, so that they may be saved. 11 1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
Reflect
I’ve had the privilege to live in three countries. I was born and have lived most my life in the United States of America, I lived a summer in Japan doing short-term missions, and my family and I lived in Colombia for almost 5 years as missionaries.
One of the biggest challenges when you live or travel in another country, is to both keep your customs and traditions all while respecting and embracing the customs and traditions where you are. Yes, you have the right to have expectations that everything will function the same in the county you are in as they do in the country you come from, but you will quickly learn that things are different and that is impossible. Going to the bank, the doctor, and even to a restaurant is different. Not adjusting is a waste of time and not “constructive”.
But you know, you don’t have to go to another country to practice this. We live in a world where everyone around us is different. Some think and believe the way we do, and others don’t. Our challenge as believers with a commission from Jesus to take the Gospel out into the world, is to see these differences and respect them, all while staying true to our beliefs and God. I believe that this is the most effective way to complete our job as followers of Christ.
Pray
God, we trust and believe in you with our whole hearts. Your lessons and ways mean the world to us, and we want to stay true to them. Teach us to do this, respecting others while sharing the Gospel. Amen.
Go with God!
