Family Devotional
Day Twenty-Six
“Today I have given you the choice between
life and death, between blessings and curses.” Deuteronomy 30:19
The roadrunner is a type of cuckoo bird.
Although they have the ability to fly, they prefer to run. They can reach
speeds of up to fifteen miles per hour.
In Mexico they are often called paisano because they are easy to train.
They fiercely attack snakes and are a good protection.
Like other cuckoos they have zygodactyl feet,
which means there is no way of knowing by their tracks in which direction they
are going.
One time Jesus told His disciples that if
they were invited to a banquet they should sit at the lowest place instead of
seeking the place of honor. He told them to let the host choose if they were to
be moved up.
Another time Jesus told a story encouraging
them not to pray as the Pharisees. They prayed loudly and publicly for show so
everyone could see them. Jesus said instead pray quietly in private with God.
Whenever Jesus talked about God’s kingdom, He
turned over everyone’s expectations of what it would be like. Having ability,
or power, or a special position, was not the important characteristic. Heart
attitude mattered more.
His disciple John the Baptist said about
Jesus, “I must decrease. He must increase.”
Jesus’ ways turned the world’s ways upside
down.
A roadrunner can fly but chooses to run. We
too can choose to do the unexpected if God asks us to. We can choose to return
hate with love and anger with peace.
Action
1. What are some situations at school where
you have to make choices on how to act? How do you make good choices even when
others jeer at you, including your friends?
2. Choose to sit in a different place than
usual at lunch break. What do you notice that is different?
3. Next time someone says something mean to
you, say something nice back to him.
Read More
Deuteronomy 30:15-18
Amos 5:14-15
Luke 14:15-24
Matthew 6:5-6
