Civil in an Un-Civil World

As I was driving in to work recently and listening to WTOP, I heard an ad for the Washington Post that highlighted some feature stories, one of which was titled, “The Quest for Civility – Finding Civility in an Un-Civil World.” This made me think about a devotional message I remembered from the “Leading Like Jesus” series – it was titled “Created for More.”

We were created to live lives far above the expectations the world imposes on us. We are free from the world’s expectations, yet we find greatness in small acts of faithfulness and integrity. Don’t settle for the lies the world feeds us about the meaning and purpose of life. We are not defined by culture’s standards or assessments. God alone defines who we are and what matters in life. Be who He created you to be, a living, breathing example of His grace and transforming power.

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

Prayer: Lord, lift our eyes beyond the standards and goals of this world. We need our vision realigned, and our values recalibrated. Let us live into who you created us to be, doing good works that reveal Your goodness, greatness, and grace. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

I’m sure many of us participated in some sort of Covenant service and/or Covenant prayer around the start of the year. Do you remember some of those words in the prayer? It starts like this, “I am no longer my own, but yours. Put me to what you will, rank me with whom you will” … BUT, prior to reciting the prayer, we are comforted with the words, “Yet the power to do all these things is given to us in Christ, who strengthens us.”

My point is this – given the world today, and having recited the Covenant Prayer a few weeks ago, and knowing that I’ve been created for more – Sure, I know I can be civil in an un-civil world! How about you?

Blessings,
John Meeuwissen, Lay Leader