“But refuse to put younger widows on the list, for when they feel sensual desires in disregard of Christ, they want to get married, thus incurring condemnation, because they have set aside their previous pledge” (1 Timothy 5:11-12).
The church has sometimes taken this as the basis for some of its monastic orders. It is a fine thing to want to serve the Lord alone, but we can serve the Lord in and through family, friends and society. The principle to focus upon here is the pledge. The Lord takes seriously the vows we make and the words of promise we utter. Did not our Lord say, “Let your yes be yes, and your no, no?” May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord.
If you look at these things in a proper way, we see that the world wants to go for all the advantage it can gain. The Lord desires that we be like Christ. We have been called through our baptism into the glorious company of the saints in light. We are called to live into the promise the Lord (Who cannot lie) has given us knowing full well that we cannot do so without Him. Through faith it is reckoned unto us as righteousness and that is by grace.
Lord Jesus, I absolutely need You, but also, I need to do what I can. Help me to step up to the plate and do my duty when I can, where I can, and as I can. You are the example and You have led the way. Guide me, Lord, in the way You know I need to go to learn how to be more like You. Lead me in the direction I need to go so that, no matter what happens in this world, I may be guided by Your grace to do what is good and right. Amen.
