This morning I witnessed an interaction in the parking lot that encouraged me.  At first, I thought I was going to have to break up a fight.  Two people were vying for the same parking spot and one person whipped in while the other person, who was there first was waiting.  He jumped out quickly and the other person parked a few spots away.  While they were both headed to the store the first man, who stole the spot began yelling something at the second man.  I couldn’t quite understand what he was saying but as I got closer I realized he was taunting the man.  It was like he was trying to pick a fight.  The second man simply listened.  He was a good bit larger and appeared to be significantly more fit than the angry man who was yelling but he simply listened.  I was getting upset on his behalf and asked if everything was ok as I walked over.  He said to me that his God says to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.  I introduced myself and thanked him for being such a good example and living out his faith.  I think his actions are enough of a devotional for us all but here is the text from James 1 that he was referring to. 

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. 26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Talking to him further he said, that he used to be a very angry person and God has been working on that in his life and seems to give him lots of opportunities such as this morning to work on this.  We are constantly faced with opportunities each day to encourage others and share the love of Christ simply by how we live.  I pray that our lives might all minister to others like this man ministered to me today. 

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave