From many of these devotional entries, I have been feeling pulled toward time for quiet contemplation, being still with the Lord, listening to the Spirit.
The past couple of entries, though, make me feel spurred into action.
I’m thinking that my actions will be better suited to God’s desires if I contemplate with Him first.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 comes to mind:
To every thing there is a season,
and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate;
A time of war, and a time of peace.
As with so many areas of life, there needs to be a balance. Wisdom and the Spirit can tell us for what kind of time this is.
maybe I am too comfortable in my silence!
This topic leads me to action rather than contemplation. As such it validates for me the path I have taken to be outspoken about injustice and inequality but it tells me I need to do more. I have sometimes wondered why churches are not more vocal in the world beyond the sanctuary. This ties in with Ellen's words yesterday about being the hands of God rather than waiting for God to do something. I believe we need to speak up on behalf of those who are suffering especially when we can't actually DO something to alleviate hunger or danger. Yesterday's devotion and today's imply that we should take action. What does it mean to dismantle stumbling blocks or that there is a time to kill and a time to heal, a time for war and a time for peace? How far do we go to protect others? How far does the shepherd go to protect the sheep?
I do remember a neighbor's peacock and it was 500 yards away, but still annoying! Are we to afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted? I have trouble being an annoying peacock!