FAITH CONNECTION – FARMERSVILLE UMC
Ministry Updates for Saturday, April 4th, 2020
*Worship—Sunday, April 5^th at 9:30 a.m.*
Please join us as we again will host a virtual worship service through Facebook Live. Tune in Sunday through the Farmersville United Methodist Church’s Facebook Page for a brief worship. This is a great time to reach out to and share this service with friends who might need some encouragement. Anyone can log on and watch. This link will take you to the event. www.facebook.com/events/650555092154417/_ _
__*Scripture for Reflection*– Matthew 5:33-34, 37
“Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.’ But I say to you, Do not swear at all… Let your word be ‘Yes, Yes’ or ‘No, No’; anything more than this comes from the evil one.//
*Reflection – Integrity***
Jesus’ message in this passage is simple. Integrity does not need the backing of persuasion. In fact, the persuasive maneuver of ‘swearing oaths’ actually undermines our integrity (setting, for the moment, court proceedings aside). We make commitments we intend to keep, plan on keeping, and hope to keep. But in our humanness, we cannot make guarantees that oaths imply. I have been guilty in my life of making a commitment, and shortly thereafter trying to figure out how to get out of it. (I suspect I am not alone in this, given that this is a common theme in sitcoms). My ‘yes’, was not really a ‘yes’. Or at least not the kind that God desires. The realization of my lack of integrity drew me to this scripture. It is more than simple wisdom. It is something that has brought me closer to holiness.**
I try to make my commitments carefully, fully understanding that being mortal means I will not always keep them perfectly, but also understanding that a life without commitments is a rudderless existence. When I say yes, or no, (make a commitment) I do my best to stand by it, being fully aware that I need to not only stand by it, but also do my best to get my heart into the matter, if it is not already. Saying words is often easier than meaning them.
Jesus calls us to be people of integrity. Not perfect. Not always saying what others want to hear, or always avoiding saying what others don’t want to hear. Integrity is about wholeness and holiness. And when we say yes or no to our spouse, children, parents, coworkers, students or friends, it is a step toward wholeness when we do our best to stand by it, not just with our deeds, but also with our heart and soul.
***Prayer***
Dear God, I am thankful for the people of integrity in my life and the example they have laid out for me. I am thankful for the good feeling I get when I follow through on my commitments and bring joy to others. Help me be a person of integrity, so that my heart, mind, body and soul all align in the work to which you call me, and in the work to which I have committed. Amen.