John 18:33-37
Meanwhile, the apostles were meeting
regularly at the Temple in the area known as Pilate went back into the
palace and called for Jesus. He said, “Are you the ‘King of the Jews’?”
Jesus answered, “Are you saying this on your own, or did others tell you this about me?”
Pilate said, “Do I look like a Jew? Your people and your high priests turned you over to me. What did you do?”
“My
kingdom,” said Jesus, “doesn’t consist of what you see around you. If
it did, my followers would fight so that I wouldn’t be handed over to
the Jews. But I’m not that kind of king, not the world’s kind of king.”
Pilate said, “So, are you a king or not?”
Jesus
answered, “You tell me. Because I am King, I was born and entered the
world so that I could witness to the truth. Everyone who cares for
truth, who has any feeling for the truth, recognizes my voice.”
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.
Last night, we had a
birthday dinner for my niece, Jasmine. Timothy was running around in a
“dress-up” costume, pretending to be some imaginary character. He said,
“You can call me Dr. Evil…or just ‘E’…but don’t call me XYZ (I cannot
remember the other name).” I’ll be honest, I had no clue who he was…or
whether he was really “evil” - or a good guy. And he did little to give
me any insight beyond what names I should use to address him.
Who
are you? Who do people think you are? Do they know you by the
reputation others have assigned to you…and is it a favorable one? Are
you known as a “good person” or someone who is “nice”? Conversely, have
others heard that you are NOT a decent person…that you are unkind,
arrogant, pretentious, judgmental, dishonest, or self-serving - and not
to be trusted? Have people formed opinions about you based on your
demeanor – and have these sometimes been unfair or inaccurate? Do others
have any CLUE that you are a follower of Jesus?
Here’s the
thing…people ARE watching – and forming instant opinions. Right or
wrong, we all pay attention the opinions of others…and sometimes, these
color OUR thoughts. Each of us has a set of criteria by which we
evaluate others…and quite often, there is no room on this list for
actual truth. I think on some level, Pilate knew who Jesus really
was…but he would not allow himself to go against the opinion of others
and stand up for the truth. There was no attempt by Jesus to deceive…He
never hides the truth of Who He is – or His message. But I think that
there are times when we “put on a costume,” so to speak…and show others
who we want them to see, rather than who we truly are – much less who Christ calls us to be!
We
downplay – or even belie – our faith in Jesus in favor of a more
popular demeanor and stance. We hide the truth of Christ. We laugh at
the offensive joke… show up where we know we shouldn’t…look the other
way when we know something wrong is being said or done - and even step
over others to make ourselves look better. We gossip, judge,
discriminate, glorify people and actions that are anything BUT worthy of
any credit or recognition. And worst of all…we do a lot of these
things while calling ourselves Christians and claiming the name of
Jesus!
We are not seven-year-olds in a costume pretending to be
some imaginary character. Many of us are saved and sanctified believers
who are supposed to be Disciples of Christ who share His truth with
others. We are supposed to be transparent, unabashed proclaimers
of Jesus’ message who leave no question about Who we
serve…representatives of the King who doesn’t belong to this world but
came to save it for God’s Heavenly Kingdom. People should be able to
recognize us readily as Christians…as followers of Christ who know His
voice - and willingly obey Him.
Who ARE you…and who do
others think you are? Are you in need of an “identity makeover?” Will
this be the day that you take off your “dress-up costume” and ask God to
help you become the person He designed - and Christ redeemed? Don’t you
think it should be?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label how what we say do affects others represents God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label how what we say do affects others represents God. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for August 22, 2016
James 5:12
And since you know that he cares, let your language show it. Don’t add words like “I swear to God” to your own words. Don’t show your impatience by concocting oaths to hurry up God. Just say yes or no. Just say what is true. That way, your language can’t be used against you.
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.
When I was in college, I had the good fortune to land in Francis Irby Gwaltney’s freshman English Composition class. I had never written so much as a “theme” in high school, and Mr. Gwaltney – an author and screenwriter – required one written essay from us each week. He assigned the title on Monday, and we turned in our 250-word commentary on Friday. The following week, he critiqued what we had written and gave us pointers…along with tons of colorful stories and recollections of his screenwriting days in Hollywood…his service in WWII…and his teenage years in Charleston, Arkansas, where he grew up with his good friend, [Arkansas Senator and Governor] Dale Bumpers. Both men are gone now…but their legacies live on in our hearts and minds…thanks in large part to the weeks I spent under Mr. Gwaltney’s tutelage.
Mr. Gwaltney was so kind to me, and I loved him dearly…but he was a tough instructor. He counted off a half grade point for a misspelled word…and an equal amount if we used the word “very.” It was his opinion that this word was completely unnecessary…that adding it to another adjective or an adverb was overkill…even redundancy. I have to admit that I use this word quite often now…but it took me years to be able to do so without hearing his voice ringing…and almost wincing with the anticipation of a lower grade!
When I first studied James 5:12, I was taken aback as I considered how often we swear an oath. Much like the word “very,” we pepper our conversation with “I swears” to drive home our point. We claim…”I swear on a stack of Bibles that XYZ happened”…or “I swear to you he really said ABC”…or as James puts it in this translation, “I swear to God, such and such is true.” I was struck by James’ suggestion that this shows our impatience with God…that to add a “swear” indicates that what we are saying cannot stand on its own merit - and needs the “endorsement” of God to give it credence and substance.
We are called to speak the truth…and stand by our comments and claims. We are commanded to be the “real deal” for Jesus…and to live in such a way that others know that they can trust what we say is endorsed by God – without our adding an oath. Just as the word “very” is unnecessary, an oath does nothing to truly substantiate our words. Mr. Gwaltney insisted that the use of the word “very” implied that we lacked confidence in our statement…and felt we should bolster it with this unwarranted descriptive. It seems to me that James is saying the same thing to us about adding oaths to our language.
The next time you start to “swear,” remember James 5:12. Let your word be your bond…pure and simple. Honor God by how you demonstrate your faith…and how you treat others. Choose your words wisely, and let others see Jesus in your daily living. Fully embrace the truth that no further emphasis – especially a swear – is ever needed.
©2016 Debbie Robus
And since you know that he cares, let your language show it. Don’t add words like “I swear to God” to your own words. Don’t show your impatience by concocting oaths to hurry up God. Just say yes or no. Just say what is true. That way, your language can’t be used against you.
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.
When I was in college, I had the good fortune to land in Francis Irby Gwaltney’s freshman English Composition class. I had never written so much as a “theme” in high school, and Mr. Gwaltney – an author and screenwriter – required one written essay from us each week. He assigned the title on Monday, and we turned in our 250-word commentary on Friday. The following week, he critiqued what we had written and gave us pointers…along with tons of colorful stories and recollections of his screenwriting days in Hollywood…his service in WWII…and his teenage years in Charleston, Arkansas, where he grew up with his good friend, [Arkansas Senator and Governor] Dale Bumpers. Both men are gone now…but their legacies live on in our hearts and minds…thanks in large part to the weeks I spent under Mr. Gwaltney’s tutelage.
Mr. Gwaltney was so kind to me, and I loved him dearly…but he was a tough instructor. He counted off a half grade point for a misspelled word…and an equal amount if we used the word “very.” It was his opinion that this word was completely unnecessary…that adding it to another adjective or an adverb was overkill…even redundancy. I have to admit that I use this word quite often now…but it took me years to be able to do so without hearing his voice ringing…and almost wincing with the anticipation of a lower grade!
When I first studied James 5:12, I was taken aback as I considered how often we swear an oath. Much like the word “very,” we pepper our conversation with “I swears” to drive home our point. We claim…”I swear on a stack of Bibles that XYZ happened”…or “I swear to you he really said ABC”…or as James puts it in this translation, “I swear to God, such and such is true.” I was struck by James’ suggestion that this shows our impatience with God…that to add a “swear” indicates that what we are saying cannot stand on its own merit - and needs the “endorsement” of God to give it credence and substance.
We are called to speak the truth…and stand by our comments and claims. We are commanded to be the “real deal” for Jesus…and to live in such a way that others know that they can trust what we say is endorsed by God – without our adding an oath. Just as the word “very” is unnecessary, an oath does nothing to truly substantiate our words. Mr. Gwaltney insisted that the use of the word “very” implied that we lacked confidence in our statement…and felt we should bolster it with this unwarranted descriptive. It seems to me that James is saying the same thing to us about adding oaths to our language.
The next time you start to “swear,” remember James 5:12. Let your word be your bond…pure and simple. Honor God by how you demonstrate your faith…and how you treat others. Choose your words wisely, and let others see Jesus in your daily living. Fully embrace the truth that no further emphasis – especially a swear – is ever needed.
©2016 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 9, 2016
Ephesians 4:31-32
Stop being mean, bad-tempered, and angry. Quarreling, harsh words, and dislike of others should have no place in your lives. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God has forgiven you because you belong to Christ.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Greg and I often watch an episode of “Andy Griffith” or “M*A*S*H” while we are having dinner. These old television shows are a welcome respite from the arguing and name-calling that is front and center on today’s main-stream dinner-hour “news” programs.
Andy Griffith has a knack for resolving conflicts and solving problems with tact and sensibility. “Colonel Potter” and others get riled up…but you can sense the love and care behind their words and actions – and their desire to uphold what is right and good among the ranks.
Every day, I grow more aware of how important it is for us to choose our words and actions carefully. We have grown so comfortable with harsh words, anger and a mean-spirited attitude that we don’t even blink when discussions become heated. I’m all for free speech, but the comments that fly on social media and in circles of friends and acquaintances border at times on the disgusting…and are at best, quite disturbing.
I’m left to wonder what God must think. He sacrificed so much to give us Jesus…to free us from sin and bind us to Him forever. And this is how we repay His generosity? Imagine for just a moment if Jesus had hung on the cross and cursed His murderers. What if He had pronounced them to be idiots…morons…and other names that I cannot suggest. Suppose Jesus had looked toward Heaven and said, “Father, get me outta here and away from these horrible people. They’ve hurt me, and I’m done!” How many of us would want to follow a “savior” like that?
Now think about your own life…the things you say and do each day…the posts you share on social media…the comments you make about people with whom you disagree. How do YOU react when someone speaks harshly or unkindly toward you or someone you care about? How do you treat people with whom you disagree – socially, spiritually, or politically? Do you give others ANY reason to serve the same Jesus that you say you serve? Or do you hide behind the cross and claim the name of Jesus Christ while treating others with anything but grace and mercy?
I want so badly to ensure those who may be “on the fence” about Jesus that the people who act so horribly do not represent true Christian faith – or my Savior. If YOU are someone who is wondering whether a life in Christ is for you, let me assure you that there is no better place to surrender your heart. We don’t all operate in hatred, name calling, quarreling, discrimination, arrogance and disdain for others. We aren’t all self-centered and egotistical “children” who continually look for how Jesus can benefit US over the other guy.
I hope you have looked carefully at those in your midst who try to be faithful, obedient servants of Christ. I hope you find His grace, mercy, forgiveness and acceptance in our every word and action…that we don’t have to TELL you how the Holy Spirit lives in our hearts, because you can observe it firsthand in our daily living. I pray that you will not judge all Christians…and Jesus…by those who misrepresent Him with their own brand of “witness.” And I pray that those who are claiming Jesus while judging and mistreating others will be reminded that because we are forgiven through the blood of Christ, we are called to forgive others and treat them as He does.
On the website, A-Z Quotes*, I found two that were attributed to Andy Griffith. In the first one, he says…”Mornin' ladies, my goodness don't you look happy. Must be cuttin' somebody up pretty good.” The second one sums up Griffith’s philosophy on life…”Well, do a good day's work and act like somebody.” On IMDb.com**, I found an interesting quote from the television show M*A*S*H. The obnoxious character Frank Burns says…”I wonder if I can say something useful?” Fellow surgeon, Trapper, replies…”I often wonder that too, Frank.”
My prayer is that we would be known for saying something useful…for doing a good day’s work and acting like somebody – a child of the Most High God! I pray that we would seek redemption in the blood of Jesus Christ…and act each and every minute of the day like we’ve received it. Can YOU say something useful? When others look at you, Who do they really see? Do you give others a reason to surrender to Jesus and serve Him? Isn’t it time you did?
©2016 Debbie Robus
*http://AZQuotes.com
**http://IMDb.com
Stop being mean, bad-tempered, and angry. Quarreling, harsh words, and dislike of others should have no place in your lives. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God has forgiven you because you belong to Christ.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Greg and I often watch an episode of “Andy Griffith” or “M*A*S*H” while we are having dinner. These old television shows are a welcome respite from the arguing and name-calling that is front and center on today’s main-stream dinner-hour “news” programs.
Andy Griffith has a knack for resolving conflicts and solving problems with tact and sensibility. “Colonel Potter” and others get riled up…but you can sense the love and care behind their words and actions – and their desire to uphold what is right and good among the ranks.
Every day, I grow more aware of how important it is for us to choose our words and actions carefully. We have grown so comfortable with harsh words, anger and a mean-spirited attitude that we don’t even blink when discussions become heated. I’m all for free speech, but the comments that fly on social media and in circles of friends and acquaintances border at times on the disgusting…and are at best, quite disturbing.
I’m left to wonder what God must think. He sacrificed so much to give us Jesus…to free us from sin and bind us to Him forever. And this is how we repay His generosity? Imagine for just a moment if Jesus had hung on the cross and cursed His murderers. What if He had pronounced them to be idiots…morons…and other names that I cannot suggest. Suppose Jesus had looked toward Heaven and said, “Father, get me outta here and away from these horrible people. They’ve hurt me, and I’m done!” How many of us would want to follow a “savior” like that?
Now think about your own life…the things you say and do each day…the posts you share on social media…the comments you make about people with whom you disagree. How do YOU react when someone speaks harshly or unkindly toward you or someone you care about? How do you treat people with whom you disagree – socially, spiritually, or politically? Do you give others ANY reason to serve the same Jesus that you say you serve? Or do you hide behind the cross and claim the name of Jesus Christ while treating others with anything but grace and mercy?
I want so badly to ensure those who may be “on the fence” about Jesus that the people who act so horribly do not represent true Christian faith – or my Savior. If YOU are someone who is wondering whether a life in Christ is for you, let me assure you that there is no better place to surrender your heart. We don’t all operate in hatred, name calling, quarreling, discrimination, arrogance and disdain for others. We aren’t all self-centered and egotistical “children” who continually look for how Jesus can benefit US over the other guy.
I hope you have looked carefully at those in your midst who try to be faithful, obedient servants of Christ. I hope you find His grace, mercy, forgiveness and acceptance in our every word and action…that we don’t have to TELL you how the Holy Spirit lives in our hearts, because you can observe it firsthand in our daily living. I pray that you will not judge all Christians…and Jesus…by those who misrepresent Him with their own brand of “witness.” And I pray that those who are claiming Jesus while judging and mistreating others will be reminded that because we are forgiven through the blood of Christ, we are called to forgive others and treat them as He does.
On the website, A-Z Quotes*, I found two that were attributed to Andy Griffith. In the first one, he says…”Mornin' ladies, my goodness don't you look happy. Must be cuttin' somebody up pretty good.” The second one sums up Griffith’s philosophy on life…”Well, do a good day's work and act like somebody.” On IMDb.com**, I found an interesting quote from the television show M*A*S*H. The obnoxious character Frank Burns says…”I wonder if I can say something useful?” Fellow surgeon, Trapper, replies…”I often wonder that too, Frank.”
My prayer is that we would be known for saying something useful…for doing a good day’s work and acting like somebody – a child of the Most High God! I pray that we would seek redemption in the blood of Jesus Christ…and act each and every minute of the day like we’ve received it. Can YOU say something useful? When others look at you, Who do they really see? Do you give others a reason to surrender to Jesus and serve Him? Isn’t it time you did?
©2016 Debbie Robus
*http://AZQuotes.com
**http://IMDb.com
Daily Devotional for May 17, 2016
Matthew 5:21-22
“You’re familiar with the command to the ancients, ‘Do not murder.’ I’m telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder. Carelessly call a brother ‘idiot!’ and you just might find yourself hauled into court. Thoughtlessly yell ‘stupid!’ at a sister and you are on the brink of hellfire. The simple moral fact is that words kill.
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.
If ever there was a profound scripture passage for the present day, this is it! I don’t know about you (and I don’t mean to hold a grudge), but there have been times when people have said things to me that cut me to the bone – and stayed with me. More importantly, I am quite certain that there have been times that I have said things to another person that were like a knife to his/her heart. The unavoidable truth is that “words can kill.”
So what are we to do? Words are also like toothpaste…you can’t put it back in the tube – and you can’t retract what you have said. You can ask forgiveness…and pray that the other person is gracious and merciful enough to grant it. But ultimately, once you have insulted someone or said something hurtful, those words are probably going to resonate for a good while – if not forever.
So we must redouble our efforts to be careful and thoughtful…to stop and measure what we are about to say before we say it! We are to remember that we are speaking of another human being who is equally important in God’s eyes. We must remind ourselves that - to some extent - an insult toward this person is an insult toward God, who created him/her.
This is a stark lesson for us today…a jolt that should make us really stop and think about what we are saying about others – and toward them personally. We should ask God to give us the strength and courage to always operate in love – even when every fiber of our being wants to scream, shout, rant, rave, and call the other person terrible names. Words have the power to kill. How are you using yours?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 12, 2015
Ephesians 5:21
Out of respect for Christ, be courteously reverent to one another.
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.
Last year, my sister was hospitalized on Christmas Day with breathing difficulties. She stayed there several days. Facebook became a great way to update people about her condition and ask for prayer…and thankfully, her condition did improve. But Facebook, Twitter and other social media outlets are also a hotbed for disrespect. People who profess to be faith-filled Christians go at one another with all of the fervor of rabid dogs. Wives post ugly cartoons and comments about their husbands or partners…who in turn make snide remarks and post equally unkind photos/sayings about their wives or significant others.
And let’s be honest…more than a few of us have been unkind toward a political candidate – or even our own children - as we post critical remarks and embarrassing photos/stories. We give little to no thought about how these make the person feel – or how we look by doing so. Okay, so maybe your kid doesn’t see Facebook now…but he/she probably will someday. Do you really want them to know that you shared their bathroom antics or that song they sang in the shower when they thought no one was listening?
My point is that we have all become lax about respect…toward each other, and most certainly toward God. We have arbitrarily decided that some words we once would never utter are now perfectly okay in polite conversation. And even with all the talk of “political correctness,” we still feel free to say whatever pops into our heads. We take God’s name in vain. We “shoot now and ask questions later” with regard to everything from judging others and calling on the name of Jesus to declaring that our faith and way of worship is superior to that of the next guy – all the while failing to consider that God loves them just as much as He cares about us!
Watch the nightly news or pick up a newspaper…Christians are disrespecting each other – AND GOD – at every turn. We have tossed reverence and respect for one another to the curb…and by “doing this to the least of these,” we have done it to God. But we can change. We can open our hearts and minds…listen for God’s voice…and submit to His will. We can say to Him, “Father, I am sorry for how I have treated You and Your children. Please show me how to correct this.” And then we must follow through on our commitment.
I urge you to search your heart and see where you have become lax in your respect and reverence for God…and for others. Make this the day that you begin to turn this around, once and for all. In this season when we are supposedly so focused on Christ Jesus, will you renew your effort to show Him the respect He is due? Don’t you think you should?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Out of respect for Christ, be courteously reverent to one another.
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.
Last year, my sister was hospitalized on Christmas Day with breathing difficulties. She stayed there several days. Facebook became a great way to update people about her condition and ask for prayer…and thankfully, her condition did improve. But Facebook, Twitter and other social media outlets are also a hotbed for disrespect. People who profess to be faith-filled Christians go at one another with all of the fervor of rabid dogs. Wives post ugly cartoons and comments about their husbands or partners…who in turn make snide remarks and post equally unkind photos/sayings about their wives or significant others.
And let’s be honest…more than a few of us have been unkind toward a political candidate – or even our own children - as we post critical remarks and embarrassing photos/stories. We give little to no thought about how these make the person feel – or how we look by doing so. Okay, so maybe your kid doesn’t see Facebook now…but he/she probably will someday. Do you really want them to know that you shared their bathroom antics or that song they sang in the shower when they thought no one was listening?
My point is that we have all become lax about respect…toward each other, and most certainly toward God. We have arbitrarily decided that some words we once would never utter are now perfectly okay in polite conversation. And even with all the talk of “political correctness,” we still feel free to say whatever pops into our heads. We take God’s name in vain. We “shoot now and ask questions later” with regard to everything from judging others and calling on the name of Jesus to declaring that our faith and way of worship is superior to that of the next guy – all the while failing to consider that God loves them just as much as He cares about us!
Watch the nightly news or pick up a newspaper…Christians are disrespecting each other – AND GOD – at every turn. We have tossed reverence and respect for one another to the curb…and by “doing this to the least of these,” we have done it to God. But we can change. We can open our hearts and minds…listen for God’s voice…and submit to His will. We can say to Him, “Father, I am sorry for how I have treated You and Your children. Please show me how to correct this.” And then we must follow through on our commitment.
I urge you to search your heart and see where you have become lax in your respect and reverence for God…and for others. Make this the day that you begin to turn this around, once and for all. In this season when we are supposedly so focused on Christ Jesus, will you renew your effort to show Him the respect He is due? Don’t you think you should?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for September 23, 2015
Proverbs 20:22
Don’t try to get even.
Trust the Lord,
and he will help you.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
“He started it!”
“She hit me first!”
“I’ll make them pay!”
We humans learn early to retaliate! And I’ll tell you something…it’s not just us! I observed our two cats “go at it” back in the day. What would start out as an innocent mutual face washing could turn into WWIII! I saw a video on Facebook of two male deer who had sparred with each other until their antlers were entangled, and neither could pull away. A brave man stepped in and worked to separate them…ultimately breaking one point of a buck’s antler in order to free the pair.
Do we really want to act like animals? Because when you boil it down, a lot of our actions and reactions to the comments and jabs of others are no less rational than those of two sibling cats – or a couple of bucks jockeying for position with the herd! And sometimes, God has to step in and “break an antler or two” in order to get us back on track!
We would do well to start with God…to go to Him before things escalate into a brawl – or as quickly thereafter as possible. At the first sign of insult or division, we should stop and ask God to handle things for us…and for wisdom to know how to move forward. Not all conflicts are readily avoidable…but our goal should be to keep them to the barest minimum. With God at the helm of our ship, this will be so much easier.
So the next time a thought of revenge or a “snappy comeback” enters your brain, stop and take a deep breath. Speak a quick silent prayer and ask God to guide your words and actions. Let go…and let God handle these situations. You’ll likely avoid getting “stuck in a rut”…and everyone will be better for your faithful obedience!
©2015 Debbie Robus
Don’t try to get even.
Trust the Lord,
and he will help you.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
“He started it!”
“She hit me first!”
“I’ll make them pay!”
We humans learn early to retaliate! And I’ll tell you something…it’s not just us! I observed our two cats “go at it” back in the day. What would start out as an innocent mutual face washing could turn into WWIII! I saw a video on Facebook of two male deer who had sparred with each other until their antlers were entangled, and neither could pull away. A brave man stepped in and worked to separate them…ultimately breaking one point of a buck’s antler in order to free the pair.
Do we really want to act like animals? Because when you boil it down, a lot of our actions and reactions to the comments and jabs of others are no less rational than those of two sibling cats – or a couple of bucks jockeying for position with the herd! And sometimes, God has to step in and “break an antler or two” in order to get us back on track!
We would do well to start with God…to go to Him before things escalate into a brawl – or as quickly thereafter as possible. At the first sign of insult or division, we should stop and ask God to handle things for us…and for wisdom to know how to move forward. Not all conflicts are readily avoidable…but our goal should be to keep them to the barest minimum. With God at the helm of our ship, this will be so much easier.
So the next time a thought of revenge or a “snappy comeback” enters your brain, stop and take a deep breath. Speak a quick silent prayer and ask God to guide your words and actions. Let go…and let God handle these situations. You’ll likely avoid getting “stuck in a rut”…and everyone will be better for your faithful obedience!
©2015 Debbie Robus
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