In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable. Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honor him. Those who eat any kind of food do so to honor the Lord, since they give thanks to God before eating. And those who refuse to eat certain foods also want to please the Lord and give thanks to God. For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves. If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Christ died and rose again for this very purpose—to be Lord both of the living and of the dead.

Romans 14:5-9

Dear God, I’ve been spending so much time going through the prophets of the Old Testament with the Bible in a Year podcast that I can get lost between how you related to us pre-Jesus and how you relate to us through the new covenant established after Jesus. How much leeway do I have now? How much does my individual sin still grieve you?

Paul’s description here gives me a lot of agency on how I choose to honor and worship you, seemingly as long as my heart is in the right place. This concept can be very confusing and overwhelming. I’m sure my heart is in the right place. How much will bad theology on my part frustrate you?

Father, Holy Spirit, walk with me today. Guide my steps. Show your will for me to me. As I return to my daily life from vacation—as I leave the mountain and return to the valley—please help me to not miss where you are leading me to go. Do it all for your glory, your will to be done on earth through my life, and to make me the man you need me to be.

In Jesus’s name and through his life, death, and resurrection I pray,

Amen