Since January I have been very much reflecting on what it means to walk humbly with God. It has amazed me how many insights you can gain by setting aside a time to slow down to a steady pace and reflect on where you are going and whether the journey has been an easy amble or uphill struggle. I have been humbled to note that I had been trying to rush through life and not taken time to enjoy the beauty of the journey or to reflect how closely or not I have stuck to the right path. I have very much had to learn to follow rather than to rush ahead of myself or God.
Now I find myself thinking about what it means to 'act justly' and 'love mercy'. Words so easily said but harder to follow.
Acting justly requires us to be fair minded and open to all, considering the impact of our words and actions on others. It requires the righteous, right way of doing things, the Godly way - sometimes boldly speaking out or taking a new direction. Maybe this is why we must walk humbly. For it is all to easy to open our mouths without thinking of the impact of our words, to blame others for unwanted consequences of our actions or for their failure to understand us, or to sit back and let others take the risk.
Fortunately God is merciful. He is slow to anger and swift to bless. If we humble ourselves enough to reflect on our own waywardness and repent, He forgives and forgets our many faults and failures. He gently reminds us that He is the Director of our journey and His is the Way we should follow. It is only when we have submitted to His direction that we can act justly, sharing God's merciful love with all we journey with.
I pray that as Autumn approaches and the trees let go of their leaves, that we are able to let go of past hurts and unforgiveness. Maybe this is a time for pruning all that is not bearing fruit in our lives and for our roots to be rested and fed by the love and forgiveness of God. And may this lead us to a time of celebration in a Creator who loves us and desires to lead us on a journey of deeper discovery of a what it means to be in relationship with Him - boldly going where God uniquely leads us.
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