So be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but try to understand what the Lord wants you to do. (Ephesians 5:15-17 NLT)

    In an editorial column in the Houston Chronicle, Leon Hale shared some excerpts from conversations he had overheard while going about his daily routine. As a part of that column, he wrote the following after hearing a preacher on the radio (the words in parentheses are an editorial change I made to his work):

“...here’s the best sentence I’ve heard lately. It’s not eavesdropping because I heard it on the radio. A preacher saying: ‘It must be (awful), being God.’ I like that more than anything I’ve heard a preacher say in 50 years. Imagine that you’re God, and you sit up there trying to get us to be nice, and love one another, and what do we do? We fight and maim and kill and cheat. I’m surprised God can stand it. Being God must be (awful), for sure.”

That’s not too much to ask, is it?

    This devotional isn’t going to address the theological correctness of Hale’s comments, nor that of the radio preacher. It’s simply meant to challenge you to do just one thing. Just one thing today that will show God that we can be nice and love one another. Just one thing that will keep you from fighting. Just one thing that will stop you from emotionally or spiritually maiming and killing. Just one thing that will keep you from cheating.

    Just one thing. That’s not too much to ask, is it? And imagine how many “one things” would add up if we were willing to try this every day!

Father, there must be times when it’s frustrating and hurtful to watch us perform as a human race. I know I can’t control others, but I also know how others are influenced by my lack of self-control and love. May my one thing today bring a smile to your face. Please bless my one thing that it would inspire one thing more every day! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

© 2002, Mark Waltenbaugh. Used by permission. From The Online Devotional mailing list. To join, send an email to thedsmith@aol.com with the subject "SUBSCRIBE TO DEVO."

Title: "Just One Thing"
Author: Mark Waltenbaugh
Publication Date: February 15, 2002

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