Daily Reading: 25 January

(from www.christianaid.org.uk)

Pray to your Father in secret. 

Something to read  

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God— what is good and acceptable and perfect.  

- Romans 12:2 from full reading Romans 12: 1-8.  

Something to think about  

Some Christian sects see the world as an evil place full of pitfalls for the believer.  They recommend complete disengagement.  

For others, the world is a place held in love by the Creator for us to work and play in and find joy and sorrow.  The sorrow often comes from the way we construct that ‘world’ in which we form relationships and build systems and structures. Then ‘the world’ seems to have its own power and forces.  

The important task is to shape our thinking about the world not just from our experience, but from asking questions about what is really going on and how things can be transformed. Our renewal of mind comes from holding what we believe is real up to critique from others, and importantly by situating it within the heart of God.  

Are we hearing the voices of those who moved our God to act? Discernment as a practice depends on seeing clearly, investigating carefully and reflecting deeply so that it might lead us to act alongside the will of God in our world. 

Something to do  

Sit with this passage of scripture in one hand and with a newspaper or tablet in the other and reflect on the challenges to the heart of God offered by our world.  

What is your immediate reaction to the news? How might you look to discern an effective response? 

Something to pray  

Spirit of God, speak to us through everyday life and events. Inspire us to ask the right questions of our experience to open up our perceptions. Lead us into your will through contemplation of your word. Grace us with discernment, and with courage and hope for a world renewed. 

Today’s reading was provided by Sue Richardson, former theology advisor for Christian Aid.