Don't Make Floors into Ceilings

Daily Reading: Philemon 1

Scripture Focus: Do even more than I say. (Philemon 1.21)

Devotional Thought: Last Saturday, Lana and I were getting ready to be gone for a few days. Lana was busy doing some last minute chores, but I was engrossed in a football game on TV. When she finished ironing - my shirts! - she put the ironing board away and then teasingly said, "I thought you would help me with that!" I said something like, "I would have if you had asked me," knowing that it was lame. Why should she have to tell me the obvious?

Do we sometimes wait to be told the obvious? Do we try to get by with just the minimum in our service to Christ and his church? When the Apostle Paul wrote to his friend Philemon, he expected something more.

Paul had written Philemon to request a huge 'favor' - that he take back his fugitive slave, Onesimus, who had become a Christian under Paul's ministry. Paul asked that Philemon forgive Onesimus and do even more - to receive him as a brother! In that culture, that was a big ask. But, Paul was confident that Philemon would "do even more."

I believe that Jesus desires more for and from us than just barely getting by. Too often, we wait to be told what to do, even when it is right there in front of us. We make the floor our ceiling. When we get past the ceiling, however, when we go on the upper floor, we discover that we can see so much more! And, we can do so much more, more than the minimum, even more than what we're told.

That's how I want to live. How about you?

Prayer: Jesus, thank you that you did not hold back on doing the Father's will. Forgive me when I try to get by with the minimum, when I make the floor my ceiling. Help me instead, O Lord, to do even more than you say. Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 119.169-176

169 Let my cry come before you, O Lord;

give me understanding according to your word!

170 Let my plea come before you;

deliver me according to your word.

171 My lips will pour forth praise,

for you teach me your statutes.

172 My tongue will sing of your word,

for all your commandments are right.

173 Let your hand be ready to help me,

for I have chosen your precepts.

174 I long for your salvation, O Lord,

and your law is my delight.

175 Let my soul live and praise you,

and let your rules help me.

176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant,

for I do not forget your commandments.