GENESIS 45:24 (TCEB)
So Joseph sent his brothers off. As they headed out, he yelled over to them, “Hey, don’t be arguing with each other on your way home!”
MATTHEW 5:9 (MSG)
You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.
THE ESSENCE
In God's economy, we're rewarded for fostering cooperation rather than competition.
DAILY FODDER
How do we make the transition from being a competition-based society to being a cooperative society? I suggest that it begins with a few counter-cultural individuals committed to Jesus and living out his peacemaking ideals. Since such people will be going against the social stream, they'll need a great deal of wisdom and patience. Fortunately, when we invite Jesus into our lives, he brings his Holy Spirit to empower us for this seemingly impossible assignment.
PRAYER
Jesus, you truly are the Prince of Peace. And while I think that prioritizing peaceful cooperation is ideal, I worry that it can't always be realistic. Help me to set aside such worries and to focus on the mission, regardless of how impossible it seems. Empower me with your Spirit so I can gently respond with supernatural wisdom to the forces that feed on unhealthy competition. I am committed to being a part of your peacemaking mission. Amen.
Our Father in Heaven,
we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
so that everything that happens here will align
with what is happening in heaven.
and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.
