October 28

Titus 3

My son had a friend over once and we had to go out for a minute so we left his friend to watch over the food that was cooking on the stove. Our instruction to him was "keep an eye on the food". The answer was "OK". We came home a short time later and asked "did you stir the food?" The answer was "you told me to keep an eye on the food, you didn't say anything about stirring it." I learned in that moment that directions are subject to interpretation and vague instructions won't get the same results as detailed directions. In today's reading, Paul gives Titus some very specific directions to pass on about being ready to do "whatever is good". Doing whatever is good could mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people but Paul gets pretty specific. He says don't slander anyone, be peaceable and considerate and show true humility toward all men. I think what Paul wants us to understand is that we too were once trying to follow vague directions before the kindness and love of God appeared. We are all redeemed sinners saved by grace and by the power of the Holy Spirit we now can devote ourselves to doing what is good because we have an example of Who to follow. In a world where there is anger and confusion, I pray we, as disciples, now can be the example of what is looks like to do "whatever is good". I pray for each of us today a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit and the opportunity to show love in Jesus Name.

Randi