Proverbs 23:15-19

"Let your heart remain constant in the adoration of God; for there is a future and your hope will not come to nothing."

What would it mean to live in constant adoration of God? This need not require withdrawing from the world, but instead may mean plunging fully into its ambiguous life. After all, this is how the gospels present the life of Jesus. He lived in a special relationship with God, but he healed and taught and lived among common people. Jesus especially nurtured relationships with many of those, who were condemned by his peers for being sinners. He didn't shun morally ambiguous situations in the world, but rather tried to redeem sinners by loving them and challenging them to aspire to the life of faith, hope and love.

When we feel down and discouraged, can we be constant in loving God and our neighbors? This is the real test of our faith.

Grace and peace...Bob