Harvesting Righteousness.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link. 

 ^“But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.  And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.”
James 3:17-18 New Living Translation

Isn’t this a precious picture of these girls sharing their freshly picked blackberries? This was a sweet summer day for these two, full of the delightful treasures the little Missouri thicket behind our friend’s house had to offer. Ponds and streams, water-bugs and minnows, turtles and frogs, cardinals and tree houses. The day ended with collecting fireflies which danced by the hundreds in the dense foliage. The girls had just met that day, but they had much to share that gave them a quick sense of kindredness.

As Children of God, we too have treasures freely given to us in His grace. The Kingdom is full of wonders that God invites us to discover hand in hand. There is so much to share in Christ.

But often we don’t feel peaceful, do we? It doesn’t feel like a romp through the woods and we don’t enjoy one another’s company. But peace with one another doesn’t depend on our natural compatibility. It depends on our common bonds in Christ and the humility that is inevitable as we stand at the foot of the cross side by side. We are brothers and sisters, heirs together with Christ to God’s Kingdom. We all carry precious promises and stories of redemption and faith. We share the waters of baptism, the Word, the Bread and Cup. Jesus, Who is our wisdom from heaven, is in the midst of us, facilitating His humble love among us. We have what we need to sow peace.

What are some ways you might sow seeds of peace today? Maybe by sharing an encouragement, mending a breach, helping someone in need, or yielding your way to another?

May God give you the grace to do so. The harvest is worth the investment.

Copyright photo and text Jennifer Brukiewa