An overlooked danger in our living is not in choosing between opposites:  love and hate, freedom and slavery, happiness and despair, but in not knowing the difference between similarities.

Our lives are filled with choices between what’s simply “good enough” and what’s right. May we always have the wisdom to know and the courage to seek what’s right.

O God,

Help us to know the difference between giving and generosity

The difference between service and servant-hood

between a hand out and a hand up

The difference between a contribution and a commitment

The difference between information and knowledge

and the difference between knowledge and wisdom

The difference between winning and succeeding

between happiness and joy

between expressing concern and showing care

between apologies and reconciliation

between friendliness and friendship

between being hospitable and hospitality (welcoming). 

between power and strength

between pride and honor

between reputation and integrity

between making a living and being alive

The difference between a hug and an embrace

The difference between listening and hearing

Give us the wisdom to know the difference between

espousing doctrinal faith and living as witnesses of your grace

Amen

So many of these appear as the other, but there is a quantum leap between them.  May we be able to discern the difference and make that leap to the higher, more noble way.

Jesus always challenged people to live more authentically and he frees us to be less concerned for ourselves and more concerned for others.  

© Stephen Carl