By Wim van Klinken, Presiding Bishopric

For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right.

Growing up in the Netherlands, hunting wildlife was and still is not a practice that the average person engaged in. Some officials hunt to control the wildlife population, and others have wildlife on their private properties. In some ways, it is frowned upon in my homeland as a leisure activity of the well-to-do.

Having grown up with this cultural precept, moving to the USA was a culture shock in this regard, and we did not expect to meet friends in church who engaged in hunting. One day, discussing this as a family and expressing our dismay, our then teen-age son commented, “But you go fishing. What is the difference?” Catch and release fishing in the abundant rivers, canals, and ponds in the Netherlands is a very common leisure activity in my home country and other places in the world. But it is a completely foreign concept to our brothers and sisters in Africa, for example. They ask, why would you hurt an animal? Just for sport?

All of us grow up in cultures with practices that are not questioned. Accepted habits that are okay according to the norm of society. But are they really in the eyes of God? Do we actually question enough what we do and whether it furthers the peaceful reign of Christ, not just for ourselves but for all creation?

The gospel summons us to be countercultural, to take time to pause, reflect, and examine the choices we make individually and collectively. As a fish does not see the water it swims in and we do not see the air that surrounds us, we too often do not see how we are conditioned by our upbringing. I/ we probably need to listen more to the children around us who still see the world as it is and should be.

Prayer Phrase

“…do good and share what you have” (Hebrews 13:16).

Enough and to Spare

Take three slow, deep breaths. As you inhale, silently say, “There is enough.” As you exhale, say, “And more to share.” Then name aloud or write down three ways you already experience God’s generosity in your life—big or small. End by asking, “How can I share from what I’ve been given today?”

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.