Daily Reading: July 5

(from www.christianaid.org.uk)

Wise in Christ

Something to read

We are fools for the sake of Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honour, but we in disrepute.

- 1 Corinthians 4:10.

Something to think about

Do you ever feel undervalued in the Christian community? Do you feel that some people get all the credit while others do all the hard work?

It appears that youre not experiencing something new. The cost of discipleship can take us to uncomfortable places – hunger, poverty, homelessness… and loss of a sense of self-worth.

Paul sounds depressed and weary, not the usual victorious apostle revelling in faith and the glory of God.

Today if you are feeling unworthy, or even resentful of others, you're not alone.

Something to do

Take a look at some of the work of Christian Aid 

Look for people who are sharing the same Good News as you, bringing hope and love to people in difficulty and darkness.

Look for where God is close to the people who have lost most. See if there is one story for which you can give thanks today.

Something to pray

Broken Lord, you know how it feels to be abandoned, treated as worthless, mocked, as less than human. And in those moments of emptiness, your grace redeemed a world.

Give us the same love, the same courage, to keep living Good News to change the cruelty of the world into hope.

Today’s contributor is the Rev Cheryl Meban, Presbyterian chaplain to Ulster University, with a care for justice, human rights and international economic transformation.