"Our Best"

The morning came and ne’er the same,

Unique the breeze and light,

But always true, there’s lots to do,

And many wrongs to right.

But not for us, to rise and cuss,

Everything that’s wrong,

But joyful live and always give,

Our love where it belongs.

So saddled go and don’t be slow,

Ride the cowboy way,

We’ve truth to tell, lift those who fell,

Till finish of the day.

And if there’s hurt, we’ll be alert,

To never hold the grudge,

When sun goes down, none will be found,

For Jesus is our judge.

And who are we, if we don’t see,

How thoroughly the grace,

That we’ve received, by it relieved,

Of what slowed down our race.

To freely give, this way we live,

And cancel every debt,

The good will flow, to let them know,

They can be hopeful yet.

And with the hope, a way to cope,

With every challenge mean,

Though hearts may break, they cannot take,

The peace that we have seen.

And at day’s end, the Friend of friends,

Will give the weary rest,

Our strength renews, His word is true,

By grace we’ll give our best.

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21, NAS)

Evil has a way of crowding us. It pushes and distracts and burdens and bothers. It demands our attention and will dominate us if we let it. In the context of dealing with enemies, Paul counsels to overcome evil with good. This is a very proactive emphasis. It says that we will be so on purpose with what God employs us to do that we literally will give very little attention to the negative. We won’t take revenge but will rather bless our enemies. We won’t react, but will respond by the Spirit.

Lord, teach us how to overcome evil with good, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Bill Anton, used by permission. Thanks, Bill, and God bless you.