Good Morning Girls
Read Luke 6:37-42 SOAP Luke 6:37
This passage is difficult for someone like me - a person who has grown up in church, was saved at an early age, and spent most of my life in traditional circles. Not to mention that I grew up as a preacher's kid and am now a preacher's wife. Judgment is almost bred in me! I've spent my whole life consumed with the problems of other people and the task of diagnosing them. I think it's hard to distinguish between seeing the truth of someone's condition and responding to their need in love.
Let's face it, it's easy to say, "I told you so." I see people make huge mistakes, then reap the consequences both immediately and years later. Then they have the audacity to act surprised when their poor choices catch up with them! I believe this passage does not negate the need for a cautionary word or spiritual challenge. Instead, I believe it is Christ's admonition to change my heart perspective. Yes, people do dumb things that might seem like obvious mistakes to me. But my response should be one of unconditional love and forgiveness. I must be there to help pick up the pieces when they hit bottom.
Jesus goes on to say that I have enough to worry about just to keep myself from sin (the speck vs. the plank). I am just as tempted by sin as the ones I lead. Father, help me see my own need of mercy so quickly that I am never hesitant to extend mercy to others. Help me live in a spirit of forgiveness and grace.
I find myself so critical of others and catch myself saying all the time " I just don't understand why people do the things they do?" Well, why do I sin? I am just as sinful but Thank the Lord I have him in my life to convict and correct me. No matter what my sin is, My Father is always there to forgive me. Why can't I be MORE LIKE JESUS and be this way to those that I criticize? I struggle with this daily but I know that as I grow in him and gain wisdom from his word that I can overcome this.
ReplyDeleteReading this, it is once again the forgiveness that hits home to me. It is very hard for me to just let it go. My past has a lot of issues and it took God to help me move forward. I know that and even in my head I realize that. God helped me move past my past and forgive. Yet, when it comes to little things that happen, it is so easy for me flare up and hold on to that hurt. I need to rely on God not just to move my mountains, but to help me cross the stream.
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