It’s a long walking day of 17.4 miles from Palas de Rei to Arzua, but at least it’s downhill. I meet two women friends along the way from Hong Kong who frequently travel together and go on hikes. They mention some amazing nature hikes in Hong Kong. I’m taken aback. Hong Kong? Apparently, this is no joke. It intrigues me to spend the same day hiking where there is natural beauty and also tromping around the Hong Kong metropolis. One day, I will go on a hike in Hong Kong! Who wants to go? With my walking companions Magda and Helen from Hong Kong we share Ezequiel’s famous pulpo (octopus) that literally dissolves in your mouth. So delicious!
On this day we read James 4: 1-12
Friends of the world are enemies of God (v. 1-4): We need to be crystal clear when the world’s values come into conflict with God’s values that we need to live rightly.
Submit to God (v. 5-8): Tapping into God’s power starts with submitting to God. We are able to resist the devil and he will flee when we submit all things to God.
You know a Christ follower by their humility (v. 10): Quite simply, the character of a Christ follower contains humility. For it is in our humility that the LORD lifts us up. This is quite different from the world that promotes individualism and do whatever makes you happy.
Do not judge one another (v. 11-12): This one is particularly important in today’s post-Christian world. In our fervor to follow Jesus we need to be careful to avoid legalism. This starts with standing and speaking truth while avoiding being “judgy” (my personal consultant’s word who I live with.)