Out of the Ring Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? —1 Corinthians 6:2 (NASB) KAJI DOUŠA | How do we judge? I don’t know about you, but my moments of judgment tend to come out of conflict. Something goes wrong, and then I make judgements. But I’m tired of conflict being my starting point. When it is, I get caught in this dizzying assault of thoughts, deeds—punches, if you will—that make me lose balance. I’m always reacting defensively—putting up blocks, getting knocked off my feet. Having to take a defensive posture is distracting. And when we’re distracted and off-bal- ance, we are dissatisfied. Maybe it’s time to step back from the ring. Maybe a boxing ring is not our spiritual home. But what is? When we’re trying to decide whether to go left right forwards or backwards, our instincts are to react like we’re back in the ring. We behave defensively because we want to survive. And that’s real. But when we step back and we make decisions not reactively but taking the time to sit with our value systems—something different happens. Living your life in the ring means living your life by accident. Living your values means living your life with purpose. A purposeful life is a meaningful life. A meaningful life is a satisfied life. A satisfied life is living in alignment with God. And alignment with God is sanctified. A sanctified, aligned, meaningful, purposeful life is yours for the living, when you know and live by your values. What are your core values? Do the people you love know? Do you? PRAYER Show me the way, God. I dedicate myself to knowing myself, knowing my values, knowing you. In Jesus’ name. Amen

About the Writer:
KAJI DOUŠA is Senior Minister of The Park Avenue Christian Church in New York City.

Source: “Running from Empty” | 2023 Lent Devotional by the Stillspeaking Writers’ Group, made up of United Church of Christ ministers and writers who collaborate on resources for people in the church, outside the church, and not sure about the church.