{"id":19941,"date":"2022-10-18T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-10-18T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mailchi.mp\/urc\/urc-daily-devotion-18th-october-2022"},"modified":"2022-10-18T06:00:00","modified_gmt":"2022-10-18T05:00:00","slug":"urc-daily-devotion-18th-october-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.trinitywimbledon.org\/index.php\/urc-daily-devotion-18th-october-2022\/","title":{"rendered":"URC Daily Devotion 18th October 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"

Acts 17:10 – 15<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

That very night the believers sent Paul and Silas off to Beroea; and when they arrived, they went to the Jewish synagogue. These Jews were more receptive than those in Thessalonica, for they welcomed the message very eagerly and examined the scriptures every day to see whether these things were so. Many of them therefore believed, including not a few Greek women and men of high standing.  But when the Jews of Thessalonica learned that the word of God had been proclaimed by Paul in Beroea as well, they came there too, to stir up and incite the crowds.  Then the believers immediately sent Paul away to the coast, but Silas and Timothy remained behind.  Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens; and after receiving instructions to have Silas and Timothy join him as soon as possible, they left him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Reflection<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Today\u2019s episode challenges us to consider how we respond when we hear of God  at work elsewhere  in ways that seem to eclipse our own experience.   The believers at Thessalonica, on hearing that those in Beroea were \u201cmore receptive,\u201d opt to \u201cstir up and incite the crowds\u201d as opposition to them.<\/span><\/p>\n

In their book, <\/span>Rooting for Rivals (*), Peter Greer and Chris Horst challenge their readers to discover \u201chow collaboration and generosity increase the impact of leaders, charities and churches\u201d.   They suggest that pride is the chief vice \u2013 an undercurrent pushing us to think more of ourselves and less of others. Citing C.S. Lewis they point out that pride \u201cis spiritual cancer:  it eats up the very possibility of love, or contentment, or even common sense\u201d.   By contrast, they suggest, \u201cFor followers of Jesus, our joy comes when others succeed.  We thrive when others thrive.  We hurt when our rivals hurt.  Our platform exists to make God\u2019s name great, not our own. \u2026 Humble leaders understand their true rivalry has nothing to do with their \u201ccompetitors\u201d and everything to do with themselves\u201d.<\/p>\n

So, today, we do well to reflect on who is \u201cBeroea\u201d for us:  people, churches, expressions of worship and mission we regard as \u201crivals\u201d that we\u2019d rather incite others to oppose than rejoicing in their thriving.   To what extent are we willing to root for our rivals, to cheer on our competitors? Ultimately, if we are serious about praying and working for the kingdom of God it really ought not to matter who gets the credit.  Rather we should rejoice wherever God is at work changing lives and communities.
  <\/span>
This golden anniversary year of our denomination is a good opportunity to be challenged afresh to \u201cpraying and working with all our fellow Christians\u201d rather than inciting opposition to those who are not \u201cus\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

(*) Rooting for Rivals, Peter Greer & Chris Horst with Jill Heisey, published by Bethany House (Baker Publishing Group),  \u00a9 2018. ISBN 978-0-7642-3125-4.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Prayer<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Save us, Lord, from the pride<\/span>
that prevents us from seeing you at work<\/span>
in people and places beyond our own preferences.<\/span>
 
Spare us from being too convinced that our views<\/span>
are the only way of being faithful.<\/span>
 
Help us to rejoice in others\u2019 success,<\/span>
even when feeling defeated and diminished ourselves;<\/span>
open our minds and hearts<\/span>
to the possibility that we are<\/span>
collaborators in seeking your kingdom<\/span>
 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Acts 17:10 – 15 That very night the believers sent Paul and Silas off to Beroea; and when they arrived, they went to the Jewish synagogue. These Jews were more receptive than those in Thessalonica, for they welcomed the message very eagerly and examined the scriptures every day to see whether these things were so. … <\/p>\n

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