February 6
For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and he who believes in him will not be put to shame.” I Peter 2:6
A cornerstone in masonry, determines the position of the entire structure, all other bricks are placed in reference to where this is located. It is an essential part of the foundation. Without that cornerstone, the entire building will fall, no matter how strong anything placed above it is.
Every day we are faced with situations in our lives that have the potential of crumbling us; crumbling all we have hoped for and believed in, crumbling all we have worked toward, crumbling ideas, dreams, lives, and families. None of us are above being involved in shameful acts, even small subtle ones. Then there are those among us who are capable of horrific destructive ones like those we hear about on the news every day. God is our “cornerstone.” When we think we are above that cornerstone, when we think we are stronger than that cornerstone, when we pay no attention to that cornerstone as we go forward building our lives each day, we will fall.
We all have done things we regret, feel shameful about and wish we could take back; actions taken impulsively, snap judgments and choices made, words spoken without thought, – all these and more. And then to be found out! We are left wishing we could hide in our shame, wishing we could turn back time. As painful as these events are to everyone involved, they open our eyes. Although at first they seem to absorb us more in self; these moments should actually help us to grow, to develop some part of us that needs attention, to lead us toward an unpretentious and genuine spirit, and enlighten us to a deeper understanding of our humanity. But this can only be done through God’s grace, by looking outward and upward rather than inward – by looking away from self. This also can only be accomplished through forgiveness and understanding; forgiveness of self and of the others who may have targeted us.
We are told in Scripture that we will not be put to shame. God knows our human hearts! He knows what we are capable of. Jesus Christ gave his life at the hands of men. He is there to show us the way and will give us the strength in the foundation of our faith, to step back, make amends, forgive; to act in love.
Christ taught us to pray before everything and He taught us how to pray. We need to constantly ask God for direction, for a pureness of heart; for a compassionate heart. We can trust that He will guide our actions and words if we just ask and if we allow Him to be the cornerstone of our lives.
Dear Father, may we recognize You as the cornerstone of our lives; the foundation of our words and actions each day.
Copyright© 2014 Kathleen A. Matson
For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and he who believes in him will not be put to shame.” I Peter 2:6
A cornerstone in masonry, determines the position of the entire structure, all other bricks are placed in reference to where this is located. It is an essential part of the foundation. Without that cornerstone, the entire building will fall, no matter how strong anything placed above it is.
Every day we are faced with situations in our lives that have the potential of crumbling us; crumbling all we have hoped for and believed in, crumbling all we have worked toward, crumbling ideas, dreams, lives, and families. None of us are above being involved in shameful acts, even small subtle ones. Then there are those among us who are capable of horrific destructive ones like those we hear about on the news every day. God is our “cornerstone.” When we think we are above that cornerstone, when we think we are stronger than that cornerstone, when we pay no attention to that cornerstone as we go forward building our lives each day, we will fall.
We all have done things we regret, feel shameful about and wish we could take back; actions taken impulsively, snap judgments and choices made, words spoken without thought, – all these and more. And then to be found out! We are left wishing we could hide in our shame, wishing we could turn back time. As painful as these events are to everyone involved, they open our eyes. Although at first they seem to absorb us more in self; these moments should actually help us to grow, to develop some part of us that needs attention, to lead us toward an unpretentious and genuine spirit, and enlighten us to a deeper understanding of our humanity. But this can only be done through God’s grace, by looking outward and upward rather than inward – by looking away from self. This also can only be accomplished through forgiveness and understanding; forgiveness of self and of the others who may have targeted us.
We are told in Scripture that we will not be put to shame. God knows our human hearts! He knows what we are capable of. Jesus Christ gave his life at the hands of men. He is there to show us the way and will give us the strength in the foundation of our faith, to step back, make amends, forgive; to act in love.
Christ taught us to pray before everything and He taught us how to pray. We need to constantly ask God for direction, for a pureness of heart; for a compassionate heart. We can trust that He will guide our actions and words if we just ask and if we allow Him to be the cornerstone of our lives.
Dear Father, may we recognize You as the cornerstone of our lives; the foundation of our words and actions each day.
Copyright© 2014 Kathleen A. Matson