2 Timothy 2:22-26
Run away from infantile indulgence. Run after mature righteousness—faith, love, peace—joining those who are in honest and serious prayer before God. Refuse to get involved in inane discussions; they always end up in fights. God’s servant must not be argumentative, but a gentle listener and a teacher who keeps cool, working firmly but patiently with those who refuse to obey. You never know how or when God might sober them up with a change of heart and a turning to the truth, enabling them to escape the Devil’s trap, where they are caught and held captive, forced to run his errands.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
There are a lot of parallels in working with children and old people. One of these involves trying to reason with either age group. You can sometimes tell a child a dozen times that… “this square puzzle piece does not fit in that round hole”… but the child has to figure this out on his/her own to fully learn the lesson. You may gently suggest to an elderly loved one that “perhaps it’s time to consider downsizing or moving to a retirement village or assisted living facility.” But if the senior still has his/her mental faculties, you cannot make this decision yourself. At both ends of this generational spectrum, the temptation is often there to yell and scream – if only inside your own head! Why can’t these people see what you see? Why do they have to insist on their own way?
Stop and read these last two sentences again… and think about Jesus. Why can’t we see what He sees? Why do we insist on having things our own way instead of listening to Him? What if Jesus yelled and screamed at us when we disobeyed or chose the wrong path? Do you see that sometimes the best tactic is to keep cool, stay patient, and gently listen and lead? Do you operate with a gracious, merciful and forgiving heart toward others… as Jesus does toward each of us?
In my own experience, I’ll admit that I’ve tried yelling and screaming. I’ve been impatient and argumentative. And I know for a fact that this method pretty much never works! I’ve sat back and watched little children figure things out on their own… and seen the joy and confidence spread over their faces as they “got it.” I’ve watched my own grandmother come to the conclusion that she needed to move to an assisted living facility. I’ve seen the peace and satisfaction that she and my great-aunt both experienced when they set aside their car keys and decided they were no longer able to drive… versus the angst my grandfather endured when this decision was imposed upon him.
I have also seen the “kicking and screaming” – both literal and figurative – that have resulted when often-well-meaning Christians tried to force their beliefs and practices on others. And I have seen the beauty of the moment that someone genuinely, humbly surrendered to Jesus and truly felt the warmth and glory of His touch. I am firmly convinced that we would see more of the latter if we could learn to curb our urge to operate in the former!
There is a lot of “meat” in this scripture passage for all of us. Don’t miss it! Study the words of the Apostle Paul to young Timothy and apply them to your own life. Find a balance between patience and treating others firmly… between being a good listener while gently teaching and leading…between keeping your cool and making your point. Always think of Jesus. Remind yourself of His gentle rhythms…how He continually operated in love and forgiveness, grace and mercy – while demonstrating obedience to God and respect for His laws. See firsthand how effective your witness can be when you apply these approaches to your own interactions with others.
Let others see Jesus in your words and actions… and prepare to see Jesus at work in ways you never dreamed were possible. It’s time we moved over and let Jesus have control. Are you willing to step aside and let Him?
©2013 Debbie Robus
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