DAILY READING
REFLECTION
Walk Circumspectly
by Mary Alice McGinnis
In today’s reading, Paul points us to some practical wisdom concerning how to live our lives as Jesus followers.
First, he says, “Be careful how you live.” The New King James version translates this as, “See then that you walk circumspectly.”
Circumspectly means to carefully consider all the circumstances and possible consequences.
How do we walk circumspectly? Look around and notice things all around us.
It is so much easier to just numb out, to ease the pain and discomforts of life. Or we try to take charge of everything and become control freaks. But our time on this earth is short. We have a limited time to make the most of the opportunities, to be looking for ways to be more in tuned with and included in what God is doing.
Look around you. If you were to take inventory of your closest relationships, how would you characterize them? How do you spend your time together?
Paul encourages us to be “filled with the Holy Spirit.” This is a continual filling, not a once and done kind of thing. He shows us that one of the primary ways to do this is through our speech.
“…speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Did you notice that this verse says, “from your heart?”
It caused me to pause and think about what is coming from my heart in my day-to-day conversations. How often am I speaking behind someone’s back, finding fault, criticizing, or just speaking disrespectfully? How often am I complaining?
What kinds of conversations do you have? If someone who knew nothing about God, if they had not heard about the saving grace of Jesus Christ, what would they see in how you treat them and others around you?
And how often am I lifting up grateful praise for all the things Jesus has done for me? If I look around me, I can certainly see a lot of negative. But if I raise my eyes, my thoughts and my heart to the Throne of Grace, what do I find there?
Earlier in the book of Ephesians, Paul writes, “so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love.” Ephesians 3:17
A Spirit filled heart is a grateful heart.
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18
PRAYER
Jesus, please forgive me when I do not reflect upon Your kindness and goodness to me. Forgive me when I use my speech in ways that are not a reflection of that kindness. Fill me through and through with Your Spirit. Help me to walk circumspectly - keeping my eyes on all You have done for me.
Thank you Mary Alice. I enjoy reading and then contemplating your devotions every Saturday morning. Your words speak to my heart so often. I would love to get together and brainstorm one day. Could be such fun.