Pot-Stirrers

Daily Reading:  Luke 23

Scripture Focus:  But they were urgent, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place.” (Luke 23.5)

Devotional Thought: Growing up I was the kid in school who tried to keep the peace. When people were fighting or if the teacher was upset at students, I tried to fix whatever the problem was. If someone was rude or maybe did something that might have upset me, I just brushed it off. I was not one for “stirring the pot.”

In reading today’s chapter, I am reminded of how much Jesus did not fit this profile. Jesus spent many of his days saying and doing things that stirred the pot. He made people uncomfortable; he challenged conventional thinking and didn’t stand for status quo. In fact, he was so good at this that a primary charge from the priests was “He stirs up the people.”

I have to ask myself, "How often does my faith stir people up? How often does the way I live stir people up? How often does how I interact with people around me stir them up?"  And how about you? Are you living in a way that challenges what people think and believe? Are you living in a way that inspires those around you to live more radically for Christ?

As Christians, shouldn't some part of how we live and talk cause some level of discomfort in those around us?  I am not advocating for constant chaos or for pushing people instead of loving them, but there are times when we simply can’t settle for keeping the crowd happy. We can’t be afraid to be pot stirrers.

Kenny McQuitty

Prayer: Forgive me, Lord, when my life is so conformed to the culture that I fail to shine the light of the gospel in the world.  Help me not to shy away from what is "controversial" out of fear or a desire to be accepted.  May others encounter you through me as I stir up the pot.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day:   Psalm 145.1-9

1 I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever.

2 Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever.

3 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.

4 One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.

5 On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.

6 They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness.

7 They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.

8 The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

9 The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.