Thursday, May 16: First take the plank out of your eye

Read Luke 6:41-42

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."

Reflect

It's hard for us to accept that our words and behaviors aren't caused by what's outside us, but by what's inside us. It's far easier to convince ourselves that we are not the problem but that others and our circumstances are. When we can't see the plank in our own eye, we've forgotten the mercy of Jesus. Each day, his mercies are new.

Respond

Lord God, reveal the plank in my eye. Help me to move away from blame and denial and move toward confession and compassion. Come and rearrange my insides so your love can be my telescope through which to see and to be in the world. Amen.

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