Day 100 "Live By The Spirit; Die By the Self-Inflicted Sinful Nature"

Much talk and active demonstrations have surfaced as a result of the recent shooting death of Ahmaud Arbery. People are lining up, choosing sides once again, based on their perceptions of right or wrong. So many factors, constantly going in and out of our lives, foster and develop our perception and judgement systems. Who is right? We line up like two warring factions of old, ready to face off against one another along political, social, racial and religious divides. With such diversity that commonly separates us, what can possibly bridge such differences and bring us together?

The answer is pretty simple if we are willing to lay down our swords long enough to embrace the truth of it. The answer is Love -putting the interests of others before one's own. The Bible, what we believe by faith to be God's word to us, points us in this direction. . But how resistant we tend be to this truth. We would rather put up a fight in defiance, strike out in rebellion, refuse to give up our control over our own lives-even when it is to our own detriment. We want to be in charge of our own lives, live in our own freedom and face life on our own terms.

You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: Love your neighbor as yourself. If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other." Galatians 5:13-15

Like so many other things, it comes down to a simple choice of how we want to live in the moment. As long as we continue to focus on our differences, we will remain a divided lot. But if we individually choose to slay our own prejudices and willingly put down our own sword of intolerance just long enough, we might allow God's Holy Spirit enough time to sow love into our lives and hopefully, allow it to germinate and take root, transforming our thinking and understanding about the world around us. If we all, together, were to rally around this one common pursuit, can you image the differences that would take place in this world? It would be a game changer! Okay, so getting everyone on board at the same time is probably a little unrealistic. Okay, hugely unrealistic. But not for at least you. You can make a difference. Change can start with one person at a time. It can start with you. It is why I believe so much in seeking to live life in each and every moment and to live that moment with an attitude of love: Carpe Momentum in Love ! (Seize the moment in love)

"So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of your sinful nature."

Galatians 5:16

God has given us his Spirit to help shape and guide us. He does not leave us alone as orphans. The other day, I was bringing a bicycle pump to a friend. I was second guessing myself as to whether I had actually put the pump in the car, so I pulled over on a side street to check. No sooner had I gotten out of my car when a car slowed down next to me. "Is everything okay?" the driver asked. I assured him that everything was fine and thanked him for his thoughtfulness. As the car went on its way, I reflected on what just took place. It was an African-American couple who took the time to slow down and inquire of my well being. A kind gesture of the heart regardless of the difference in the color of our skin.

That's what God's love can help us to do- look beyond our differences.

Which brings me back to Ahmaud Arbery where we started today. The news networks have brought up several previous altercation that Ahmaud Arbery experienced over the past few years. It felt to me, as I watched them, that each additional altercation brought greater frustration to Ahmaud, mostly being singled out by the color of his skin. And then I thought of Gregory and Travis Michael, the ones who shot and killed Ahmaud Arbery while he was out running. Just one more incident In Ahmaud's life of someone trying to get in his way or accuse him of something just because of the color of his skin. Perhaps, today he had had enough. Yes, a video showed that he had enter a house under construction and looked around. But he had taken nothing. He was dressed for running, not in an outfit that could easily hide anything. He had nothing on him. As we know, the incident with the Michaels grew quickly out of hand and resulted in the loss of a Ahmaud life. Two against one is never good odds. Bigotry and prejudices just helps ignite the fire.

What could have diffused such intensity? How could the Michaels handled the situation differently? Perhaps, the answer lies in our attitudes towards one another. Can you imagine what might have taken place if the Michaels, rather than looking and expecting the worst in Ahmaud, approached him differently. Love always finds the better way. I mean, it was the middle of the day. There was no darkness of night helping to hide Ahmaud from possible criminal activity. Maybe even ask him his permission to talk to him. I know, to the world it may sound dumb. But love constantly looks for the best in others. It plays by a different set of rules. Perhaps, if Ahmaud had a short fuse as a result of so many racial encounters over the years, it might have become longer if he ever experienced a positive moment from someone who was not African-American. Can you imagine what might have gone through Ahmaud mind today if someone else who was caucasion on some other day happened to role down their window and truly, from the heart, paid Ahmaud a compliment, "Hey, bud, great job running! You inspire me to start running myself. " We all can use a compliment or a kind word along the road of life. When we look for the best in others, that is what we will most likely find. If we look for the worst, we can find that, too! Love, like grace, changes everything! Just think, you can be that person who could make a difference in someone else's life through a kind word or kind gesture. You never know.

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Changing the world can take place one person at a time. That is why God sent his one and only Son to show us the way and make it possible.

"For God so love the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." John 3:16-17

The ultimate purpose in life is to know God's love and allow such love to manifest itself within you and, then, allowing it to change the lives of others through you. The secret is found in letting go and letting Him.

In his love, I'll see you back here tomorrow...

"Carpe Momentum in Love" (Seize the moment in love)