Galatians_6
Scripture:Galatians 6:4-64-5 Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life. 6 Be very sure now, you who have been trained to a self-sufficient maturity, that you enter into a generous common life with those who have trained you, sharing all the good things that you have and experience. Observation:Paul was speaking to the churches scattered through Galatia (a portion of modern Turkey). It is one of the most important writings of Paul in establishing the importance of Grace compared to the Law. Paul and salvation by grace alone were under attack by those in churches of Galatia. [https://pastorbobcrowder.com/2016/11/04/what-is-the-major-purpose-for-the-book-of-galatians/] Understanding:I appreciate the simplicity of these verses and their application far beyond the times they were written. I don’t know about you, but I’ve been feeling like I’m doing this whole quarantine thing wrong. Trying to keep up on home schooling, trying engage the creative minds of myself and the boys beyond the tasks at hand, trying to get outside at least once a day to preserve my sanity and see beyond the four walls of our tiny condo, trying to balance work from home life with parenting with teaching with leading with what feels like a million other things. And with the easy access to social media, it sometimes seems like everyone else is doing it better! Galatians 6:4-5 speaks to a much simpler view. “Make a careful exploration of who [I am] and the work [I] have been given, and then sink myself into that.” My work – the work God has called me to, the people/causes/things God has placed on my heart, the resources and people He has placed around me – is unique to me. And, quite frankly, my work keeps me busy enough, especially right now. I can’t get caught up in comparing myself to others. Instead, I must “take responsibility for doing the creative best [I] can with [my] own life.” The second set of verses encourage us to care for those who have trained us – to provide for their temporal (earthly, temporary) needs. I don’t know about you, but as I look around Desert Streams Church, there are a lot of people who helped “train” me. These verses act as instruction to be generous with them – “sharing all the good things that [I] have and experience.” Life Application: Let’s give ourselves and others some grace. These are unique, unprecedented, unexpected times that we are all going through. There is no perfect way to do it, no guideline on how to do it “right.” But spend time each day with God, let Him direct our steps, then move in that direction. Focus on the work that He has given – which won’t be more than you can handle, with His love and support surrounding you. Let’s take time to check on those who have trained us up, those who have supported our spiritual needs and growth. Let’s be sure their temporal needs are taken care of now. God, I am grateful that you are bigger than the coronavirus, bigger than severe storms, bigger than earthly chaos, bigger than financial downturns. May we press in, look for ways to share your love with those we encounter (even if it’s far fewer people now) and for creative ways to share your love in these times of social distancing. Rei