USERS OF GOD AND MEN

DAY 50

Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

The charge today is to pray for an interesting group of people- ‘enemies, those who curse us, those who hate us, those who despitefully use us, and those who persecute us. I characterise them as interesting because in many instances, these groups of people will act in a way that makes their position clear. Yet, knowing this, we are still to pray for them.

The easier way I think would be to ignore them or in the very least, not have to pray for them – particularly for those who use us. Before we jump up to scream yes to this, take a moment to ponder ‘ don’t we do the same to men and to God? Aren’t we also users of men and God?

I know it is a hard take but often times in our dealings, we are not interested in having a relationship, we are interested just in what we can get. We run to God because He is the one who can give us what we’re looking for in the time frame we desire and we do the same with men. We find those who have what we want, find a way to get it, and then toss them aside.

If this sequence of actions ring a bell, then perhaps now is the time to ponder on having an actual fellowship, and not just exercising usage privileges.

#sly