Rumination Journal

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned. —Isaiah 9:2 Advent begins in the dark. It is the honest recognition that the world does not yet look as it should. Isaiah speaks to people who are “walking in darkness”—people who know fear, sorrow, uncertainty, and longing. Yet into that darkness, a promise breaks open: a great light has dawned . Advent invites us to step into that promise, even before we fully see its fulfillment. The dawn does not erase the night immediately, but it announces that the night is ending. God’s light is coming—not because we found our way to Him, but because He has come to us. As we enter this season, the message is clear: God begins His saving work at the very place where we feel most lost. The great light Isaiah promised is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who enters our world quietly and gently, yet powerfully enough to drive back every form of darkness. Advent is not about preten...

But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus took up this question and said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. “Now by chance a priest was going down the same road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. “So too, when a Levite came to that spot and saw him, he passed by on the other side. “But when a Samaritan on a journey came upon him, he looked at him and had compassion. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. “The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Take care of him,’ he said, ‘and on my return I will repay you for any additional expense.’ “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” “The one who showed him mercy,” replied the ex...

“Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father; inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’  “Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? When did we see You sick or in prison and visit You?’ “And the King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’”  — Matthew 25:34–40 Jesus’ words make clear that how we treat “the least of these” is, in His eyes, how we treat Him. The hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the poor, the sick, and the imprisoned are not ...

This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Administer true justice. Show loving devotion and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor, and do not plot evil in your hearts against one another.”  — Zechariah 7:9–10 Through the prophet Zechariah, God reminds His people that true devotion to Him is inseparable from how we treat others—especially the vulnerable. Administering “true justice” means more than applying rules fairly; it means actively ensuring that those who are overlooked, powerless, or easily harmed receive protection, dignity, and care. Justice in God’s eyes is relational—it restores, defends, and mends what is broken. But justice alone is not enough. God also calls His people to “show loving devotion and compassion,” a tenderness of heart that moves us toward others with empathy and mercy. This combination—justice joined with compassion—reflects the very nature of God, who is both perfectly righteous and infinitely lovin...

When a foreigner resides with you in your land, you must not oppress him. You are to treat the foreigner living among you as native-born and love him as yourself, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.  — Leviticus 19:33–34 God’s command to Israel to love the foreigner is rooted in their own story—they had once been strangers in a foreign land and had known both suffering and deliverance. Remembering their own vulnerability was meant to shape how they treated others, especially those who were different or without belonging. To love the stranger as yourself is to extend the same dignity, compassion, and care you would desire for your own life and family. This command reaches far beyond hospitality—it reflects the very heart of God. Throughout Scripture, God reveals Himself as the One who welcomes the outcast, shelters the wanderer, and gathers people from every nation into His Kingdom. In our own fractured age, fear and suspicion often divide communiti...

Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.  — Galatians 6:9–10 Doing good can be exhausting—especially when it feels unnoticed, unappreciated, or even resisted. Paul encourages us not to give up, reminding us that there is a promised harvest for those who persevere. The “due time” may not be immediate; the fruit of our efforts may not be visible in this season, but God sees, and His timing is perfect. Our calling is to keep sowing seeds of kindness, justice, mercy, and encouragement, knowing that God Himself brings the growth. To persist in goodness is to live by faith rather than sight. Each act of service, each word of encouragement, each quiet decision to love when it would be easier to withdraw—these are the seeds that one day yield a harvest of righteousness. Weariness may whisper that your efforts are in vain, but perseve...

Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.  — 1 Thessalonians 5:15 Paul’s words leave no room for exceptions—repaying evil with evil is never an option for those who follow Christ. Instead, we are called to continually seek what is good, not only for those within the family of faith, but for all people. This pursuit of good is proactive, intentional, and relentless. It means looking for ways to bless others, to promote their well-being, and to act in ways that reflect God’s goodness, even toward those who may oppose or mistreat us. To “always pursue what is good” is to live with eyes wide open to the opportunities grace provides. It is to believe that goodness can interrupt cycles of harm and begin to heal what is broken. Such pursuit is not naïve optimism—it is the steady confidence that God’s love is stronger than human malice and that His light still shines in the darkest places. Every time we choose good over retal...

Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles, or the LORD will see and disapprove, and turn His wrath away from him.  — Proverbs 24:17–18 Just as Jesus calls us to do good to those who hate us, this proverb speaks to the posture of our hearts when those who have wronged us experience hardship. There is a subtle temptation in the human heart to feel satisfaction—or even delight—when someone who has opposed us experiences failure or misfortune. This proverb warns us against that impulse, not only because it reveals a lack of compassion, but because it dishonors God, who is merciful and just. Rejoicing over an enemy’s fall is rooted in pride and a desire for vindication, but Scripture calls us to a different response—one that aligns with God’s heart. True reconciliation reaches beyond outward acts of kindness; it touches the quiet places of motive and emotion. When we find ourselves secretly pleased by another’s downfall, it reveals how easi...

But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also; if someone takes your cloak, do not withhold your tunic as well. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what is yours, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.  — Luke 6:27–31 Jesus addresses these words to “those who will listen,” because loving enemies is not something everyone is willing to hear—let alone do. Yet His command is unmistakable: love is expressed not only in thought or feeling, but in concrete action. Doing good to those who hate us, blessing those who curse us, and praying for those who mistreat us go far beyond common standards of fairness; they reflect the radical generosity of God’s own heart. The examples Jesus gives—turning the other cheek, giving more than is taken, and treating others as we wish to be t...

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone. Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.  — Romans 12:17–21 Paul’s words are both deeply practical and profoundly countercultural. The natural response to being wronged is to strike back, but Christ’s way calls us to resist that instinct. Instead of repaying evil with evil, we are to consider what is honorable in the sight of all and, as far as it depends on us, to live at peace with everyone. This peace is not born of passivity but of trust—trust that God is the ultimate judge and will set all things right. By meeting the needs of tho...

You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘Hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  — Matthew 5:43–45 Jesus’ command to love our enemies may be one of His most radical and challenging teachings. It confronts our natural instincts for self-protection, retaliation, and exclusion. In the fractured climate of our world, “enemies” may not be those who physically threaten us, but those whose beliefs, values, or actions stand in sharp opposition to ours. To love them is to will their good, to treat them with dignity, and—perhaps most challenging—to pray for them. Prayer for our enemies shifts our focus from resentment to compassion, reminding us that they too are made in God’s image and are recipients of His common grace. Loving our enemies is the high calling of those who f...

“If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, regard him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.” — Matthew 18:15–17 Jesus gives clear, practical guidance for handling conflict within the body of Christ. The first step is direct, private conversation—approaching the person with the goal of restoration, not humiliation. Too often, we reverse this order, speaking to others before we speak to the one involved, which can breed gossip, suspicion, and deeper division. If private conversation fails, Jesus advises involving a small, trusted group, and finally, if necessary, the wider church community. Even the final step is not about punishment but about clarity—recognizing tha...

Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.  — Hebrews 12:14 Peace does not happen by accident—it requires pursuit. The writer of Hebrews places peace and holiness side by side, reminding us that our relationships with others and our relationship with God are deeply connected. To “pursue” peace means to go after it with intention and persistence, even when it is difficult, even when the other person does not respond in kind. This pursuit does not mean compromising truth or ignoring sin, but it does mean seeking restoration, reconciliation, and understanding wherever possible. Holiness is the companion of peace, for it keeps our motives pure and our actions aligned with God’s will. To strive for peace is to walk the same path Christ walked—the way of patience, grace, and self-giving love. It requires courage to take the first step and humility to sustain it. Pursuing peace may not always result in agreement, but it always honors God, for ...

The multitude of believers was one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they owned. — Acts 4:32 The early church experienced a remarkable unity—not only in their faith but in their daily living. To be “one in heart and mind” meant they shared the same devotion to Christ and the same commitment to one another’s well-being. Their unity was so deep that it overflowed into generosity, with believers willingly meeting each other’s needs without clinging to personal possessions. This was not enforced equality; it was voluntary, Spirit-inspired love in action. Such unity is a powerful witness in any age, but especially in a fractured one, where self-interest and competition often take center stage. This passage gives us a glimpse of the Kingdom breaking into ordinary life. The believers’ generosity flowed naturally from hearts aligned with God’s own—hearts that saw others not as rivals but as brothers and sisters. When the Holy ...

Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! — Psalm 133:1 This short but powerful verse paints a picture of unity not as a burdensome duty, but as something both good and pleasant—a joy to experience and a blessing to behold. Harmony among God’s people reflects His own nature, for He is a God of peace, order, and love. In a fractured age, true unity can seem rare, but when it is present, it is deeply refreshing. It creates an atmosphere where trust grows, conflicts are handled with grace, and God’s purposes can flourish unhindered. This unity is not the product of ignoring differences or pretending problems don’t exist; it comes from a shared commitment to honor God and love one another in the midst of differences. When believers live in harmony, the beauty of God’s Kingdom becomes visible on earth. Such unity is like a gentle fragrance, drawing others toward the love that binds us together in Christ. It reminds us that our fellowship is not based on sam...

Finally, all of you, be like-minded and sympathetic, love as brothers, be tenderhearted and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.  — 1 Peter 3:8–9 Peter’s call to the church is both challenging and beautiful: live in harmony, feel with one another’s joys and sorrows, love with a family bond, show tenderhearted compassion, and walk in humility. These qualities are not natural responses when we are hurt, insulted, or opposed. The natural reflex is to give back what we’ve been given—to match insult with insult, injury with injury. But Peter reminds us that our calling in Christ is different: to answer with blessing. This is not weakness but strength—choosing to overcome evil with good and to reflect the mercy we have received. To bless instead of retaliate is to live as a mirror of God’s own heart. It is the difference between reacting from the old nature and responding from the...

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for to this you were called as members of one body. And be thankful.  — Colossians 3:15 Paul’s words remind us that peace is not merely the absence of conflict; it is an active, governing force in the believer’s life. To “let the peace of Christ rule” means allowing His peace to be the deciding factor in our thoughts, attitudes, and interactions—much like an umpire making the call in a tense game. This peace comes from knowing we are reconciled to God through Christ, and it is meant to flow outward, shaping our relationships with others in the body of Christ. When disagreements or tensions arise, the question becomes: Will I let Christ’s peace guide my response, or will I allow pride, fear, or resentment to take control? Paul ties this peace to our calling as members of one body, reminding us that unity is not optional but central to our identity in Christ. Gratitude plays a vital role here—thankfulness shifts our focus from what divides...

So then, let us pursue what leads to peace and to mutual edification.  — Romans 14:19 Paul’s instruction here comes in the context of disagreements within the church over matters of conscience. Instead of insisting on personal freedom or winning an argument, he urges believers to prioritize what strengthens relationships and builds up faith. “Pursue” is an active word—it means we do not passively wait for peace to happen but intentionally move toward it. This requires discernment, humility, and a willingness to set aside personal preferences when they would harm the spiritual growth of another. Pursuing peace together means choosing the higher road of love when the easier path would be self-assertion. It means cultivating the maturity to see the person beyond the disagreement and to value unity over vindication. When peace becomes our pursuit, every word and action is filtered through the question: Will this lead to understanding, healing, and growth? The community that practices s...

I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree together so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be united in mind and conviction.  — 1 Corinthians 1:10 The Corinthian church was gifted and vibrant, yet it was also deeply divided. Different groups aligned themselves with different leaders, and personal loyalties began to eclipse their shared loyalty to Christ. Paul’s appeal here is urgent—he pleads “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” for unity that runs deeper than personal preference or allegiance. To be “united in mind and conviction” does not mean every believer must think identically on every matter, but it does mean we agree on the essentials of the faith and remain committed to one another despite differences in secondary issues. Division often grows when we allow pride, comparison, or competition to take root. Unity flourishes when we choose humility, mutual respect, and a shared focus on Christ. The call to be o...

As a prisoner in the Lord, then, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received: with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, and with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. — Ephesians 4:1–6 Paul writes these words from prison, urging believers to live in a way that honors the calling they have received. That calling is not only to salvation but also to a life that reflects Christ’s character—humility, gentleness, patience, and loving endurance toward others. Unity among believers is not something we create; it is the work of the Holy Spirit. But it is something we are called to preserve with diligence, which means guarding it against gossip, pride, bitterness, and anything else that tears at the ...

“I am not asking on behalf of them alone, but also on behalf of those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I am in You. May they also be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. I have given them the glory You gave Me, so that they may be one as We are one—I in them and You in Me—that they may be perfectly united, so that the world may know that You sent Me and have loved them just as You have loved Me.”  — John 17:20–23 On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus prayed not only for His disciples but for every believer who would come after them—including us. His request was striking: that we would be one, united in the same way He and the Father are united. This unity is not uniformity; it does not erase our personalities, cultures, or perspectives. Rather, it is a spiritual bond rooted in the shared life of God Himself. Unity is not merely a good idea—it is a testimony to the watching world that Jes...

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.  — Colossians 3:12–14 Paul’s imagery of “clothing” ourselves with virtues is intentional—these qualities are not meant to be occasional accessories but our daily spiritual attire. Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience are not optional in the Christian life; they are the marks of those who belong to Christ. Bearing with one another means we accept that differences, misunderstandings, and even offenses will happen, but we choose not to let them destroy the relationship. Forgiveness is not given because the other person has earned it, but because God has so freely forgiven us in Christ. And over all these virtues—like the belt or clasp tha...

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the way everlasting.  — Psalm 139:23–24 In moments of conflict or division, it is easy to focus on the faults of others while overlooking the shadows in our own hearts. David’s prayer in this psalm is a courageous invitation for God to examine the deepest places of our inner life—our motives, fears, biases, and unspoken resentments. Asking God to “search” and “test” us is not about shaming ourselves, but about allowing His light to reveal what needs healing, correction, or surrender. Often, division is fueled not only by outward disagreements but by inner attitudes we have not faced: pride, prejudice, bitterness, or self-righteousness. When we submit to God’s examination, He can lead us away from the “offensive way” that perpetuates strife and toward the “way everlasting” that reflects His peace. True humility before God opens the door to spiritual clarity. When we...