"God hath made everything beautiful in his time."
Ecclesaistes 3:11

"Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respector of persons, But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness is accepted by him." Acts 10:34,35

If we peruse the entire chapter of Acts 10, we will read with interest the phenomenal experience that transformed Peter to make this exclamation and to realize that all persons are indeed created beautiful by God. God has breathed life into all creation and we are part of God and importantly we are part of one another. There can be no spiritual distinction, regardless of our temporal physical attributes and earthly desires. We all and each can aspire to a greater communion with Divine Love and Wisdom. The door is open for every soul to seek spiritual progression.

In I Chronicles 4:9&10, we read of the prayer of Jabez, who prayed for blessings and for God’s presence and protection from evil, that it may not cause him grief. It is interesting to analyze the significance of this juxtaposition of thoughts.

• Prayer for a blessing… particularly for success in his endeavours in life
• Prayer for God’s presence… continual spiritual guidance in all things
• Prayer for protection from evil… the things one might do that hurts others
• Prayer to not be grieved by evil… the damage to our soul, when hurting others

In brief, Jabez prayed for earthly success with the condition that he firstly be spiritually directed in all thoughts and deeds. And we are told that he was more honourable than his brethren, and that "God granted him that which he requested".

Jesus’ commandment, "That ye love one another as I have loved you" (John 15:12). In his parting words He expressed this unconditional love, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34)

Not only did the persecutors not comprehend the nature of the Man on the cross, but they did not comprehend the “grief” or the hurt received by the hurt caused. Nor often, do we comprehend the damage to our own soul when we purposely or inadvertently hurt others. The hurt might be to an individual or to all human kind and even future generations. Physically, pollution is a generational hurt. Spiritually, neglecting the needs of others may be an inadvertent hurt. We are overwhelmed with our own lives and cares.

May you be blessed with Divine Love and Wisdom, in thoughts and deeds. Always.

May the Message of Christmas light your days throughout the New Year.