Daily Devotional for August 22

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August 22                                                     Mark 11:27-12:12

Are you afraid of emotions like jealousy and fear? Do you
sometimes try to conceal or avoid them by "people-pleasing,"
by doing and saying whatever will make you look good in the
eyes of others instead of truly acknowledging the feelings you
have? Those of us who have had such experiences can see
ourselves reflected in today's Scripture.

"What shall we say?" "How can we get out of this one?" The
chief priest, teachers, and elders argued together about how
they could answer Jesus' question without exposing themselves
to criticism or appearing foolish. "How will we look if we
say this?" "What will people think if we say that?" In the end,
they were so fearful of the way they would look to others that
they never thought of simply trying to see and say the truth
about the question or about themselves.

Take a few minutes to recall a recent instance in which you
acted like the chief priest and elders, tailoring your response
to the way you thought others would see you, concealing from
them, and perhaps from yourself, what was in your heart. Now
reflect on yourself as God knows and loves you. Imagine the
way that you would have responded to the same situation had
you been true to yourself and true to your Creator. Pray for
trust in your Saviour, the kind of trust that will set you free
to be, without pretense or subterfuge, just who you are - the
beautiful and mysterious one whom God created, knows, and
loves.

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From The Road to Emmaus - An inclusive devotional Edited by Joseph W. Houle

Emmaus House of Prayer - Washington D.C.1989