Thoughts for the Day

However that may be, let each of you lead the life that the Lord has assigned, to which God called you. This is my rule in all the churches. Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; but obeying the commandments of God is everything. Let each of you remain in the condition in which you were called.

Were you a slave when called? Do not be concerned about it. Even if you can gain your freedom, make use of your present condition now more than ever. For whoever was called in the Lord as a slave is a freed person belonging to the Lord, just as whoever was free when called is a slave of Christ. You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of human masters. In whatever condition you were called, brothers and sisters, there remain with God.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

I have always loved George Herbert's hymn 'Teach me, my God and King' (see 'Further Thoughts' below) and probably first learnt it when standing next to my mother on a chair in the Baptist chapel she attended midweek, and watching her lips say the words. I would have been about 3 years old, and we rode on her bike through pine woods each week to get there, once coming off the bike because of the tree roots that stuck up everywhere.

Herbert lived 1593-1633, and in the last three years of his life was Vicar of the parish of Bemerton near Salisbury. His poem is about being transformed from the dirt and dust of everyday life to seeing a glimpse of heaven. All this can happen through our daily work, and it starts with a request to be taught to see God in everything we do. The words of the hymn were taken from Herbert's collection of poems, "The Temple", which was originally called The Elixir and had more verses. Our modern hymn has been paired down slightly.

The 'elixir' was an element sought in the Middle Ages because people thought it could turn base metals into gold! The idea is that when we do tasks for Christ's sake, no matter how humble, they will similarly be transformed into something glorious. Herbert's words also remind us that when we let our eyes rest on mundane things like a window we will see something earthbound, but when we look through it we can be transported to catch a glimpse of heaven.

Paul's words today have the same flavour as Herbert's poem. We are to see God's work in all that we do, and we are to do it to the best of our ability. We are to make our old life new. Our race or background are unimportant for we belong to Christ who has already bought us with a high price, that is by His death. In doing so all our work is turned from dross into pure gold.

Lord Jesus,
You rescued us from our previous life
and offered us salvation.
May we be content with whatever
work You give us to do,
no matter how menial or repetitive,
knowing that we do it for You.
May we glimpse the glory beyond,
and await Your call in the future.
Amen.