As I was contemplating my topic for my blog for this week, I ran across this verse and thought it was timely in light of the happenings in our world and especially in our own country with the government shutdown.

James 4:1 asks the questions, What is causing the quarrels and fights among you?  Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you?

We have wars between nations that linger on. We have dissension in groups in which we participate. Quarrels erupt in our workplaces and in our congregations. We currently have a huge dispute in our government which has led to a shut down. The truth is when you get too many people together who are governed by their own desires, you will see division begin to happen.

This unfortunately is very normal because we are human. We want what we want, and we want it now. In James 4:1, James who was known for his practical guidance asks the questions “What is causing these quarrels and don’t they come from the evil desires at war within us?” So much of our lives is spent in allowing our human nature to come through and let our own desires take control in our relationships.

This is certainly true as we watch our country’s senators and representatives battle at the expense of the people they “represent”. We watch leaders of countries fight in useless wars, allowing their own desires to muddy the potential of peace. We allow petty arguments to lead to dissention and bitterness and division.

Let us pray for direction rather than leaning on our own wishes. Ask God to lead all of us to think with our spiritual nature instead of our own selfish wants and follow the will of the Lord.

God loves us unconditionally and wants us to love one another as He loves us. Put away our petty selfishness. Ask yourself, “What would God want us to do?”. We know the answer because we know His love. Thanks be to God!

Patty