"John is the man to whom the Scriptures refer when they say, 'Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way before you." Matthew 11:10
John the Baptist knew his calling, he knew his purpose and he didn't let the cost stand in the way. He wasn't afraid to stand out in the crowd even if he stood alone.
"Sometimes it's dangerous to be a voice. At other times it's damaging to our relationships or our reputations. But if we're a voice and have to make headway in people's lives so Jesus can enter, there's no option. We have to speak up so they have the chance to clear up the mess. Knowing what we should say is one thing. Saying it is another." Jill Briscoe
I have been in the Word for long enough to know what is right and what is wrong and what I need to stand for and yet I found myself on my knees this week because my mind defaulted to the easy way out for someone I love. I was ready to give them an out and not hold them accountable. I can make excuses and say my voice never followed through, but God knows my heart and my heart had already stepped over one of those lines I thought I would never cross.
Sometimes I get so discouraged with myself because I am such easy fodder for the enemy. But then I remember, if I always got it right and could avoid every sinful thought and action, there would have been no need for a Savior. I remember God gave his people the law and they could not keep it, so he gave us his Son who showers us with mercy and grace.
xo, Patty
I have had these same thoughts on my mind all week! I pray that not only will I have the strength and the words to hold my loved ones accountable but I will also have the wisdom to accept my own sins and face accountability...thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI was once a believer and now I am not. The biggest thing that drove me away was other believers. People will do and think what they will do and think. If you liked them at one point or were drawn to them at one point then you should look to those qualities. You really have no say in the decisions other people make about their own lives. Even if you feel that your God is telling you to "hold them accountable" it really isn't your place to do that. It's God's place. It is your place to hold yourself accountable. To be responsible for your own thoughts and actions. I don't know about you but for me that is a full time job...me not being perfect and all. Whenever I am tempted to tell some one else what I think they are doing wrong I look to the beam in my own eye.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your candid comment. My hope is that this blog is a place of conversation.
DeleteIf you are a believer in Jesus Christ the bible tells you to hold other Christians accountable in a loving, non judgmental way. You are right there is only One who knows the heart of a person and is able to judge. Unfortunately, it is easy to cross that line and I am sorry if someone did that with you. If you are not a believer than you are only required to live by the laws of your land and as a Christian it is my job not to hold you accountable to my moral standard but to tell you about the One who forgives my sins and offers me unconditional love and to tell you what a difference He makes in my life. I am a sinner in need of a Savior.
I have struggled with the same things, and we often believe that we have a responsibility to point out when someone is doing wrong. If it is a minor child that is part of our job as parents, teaching right from wrong. As believers we are to hold each other accountable in a loving way, and that is where it gets sticky. It is a very fine line between standing up for what is right coming down on someone in a judgmental way. If it our family that we are correcting first ask yourself, is this something they already know? If it is a gentle reminder is about all we can offer.
ReplyDeleteI love your response Kathy. The line gets even finer with adult children. I am getting better at asking myself that question before blurting out what is on my mind. Thanks for the reminder.
DeleteBig hugs to you my friend. We need to meet up for breakfast soon!!!
ReplyDeleteIn rearing children, we, as parents, hope to teach them good morals, ethics and standards. We love unconditionally and hope that our children will turn out to be happy and successful in their adult life. We build their wings so they can fly. As a parent, we continue to hope and pray that our children will do things in life that are good and make good choices. We love them so much that we don't want them to fail. Being a caring parent isn't easy...and sometimes children don't want us to care so much.
ReplyDeleteHugs to you, Patty. I know you have been through tough times...just know God is merciful and he listens to our prayers. I know.
Faith, sister.
xxo
Patty- Don't be so hard on yourself- we all make errors in decisions sometimes when it comes to family. It is so hard to know the right decisions to make sometimes and we err because we love-and I do think the Lord knows our hearts, Patty, and loves us in spite of our choices. xo Diana
ReplyDeleteBoy, can I relate to saying the right things but in the wrong way to our oldest daughter/child. Because of it she hasn't wanted anything to do with me for years. It breaks my heart that I could die and never talk to her again or see her. I've tried to contact her but she shuts off the way. I'm paying for trying to "help". She also says I was a terrible Mother but won't talk to me about what specifically I did. I had mental/emotional problems when my kids were young, hollered and screamed at them, I thought that was how to make them be good humans. Pretty bad but again I'm paying for that. Nobody has to tell me how I sinned and did wrong by my beautiful sweet children, 4 of them, 3 older and one is the youngest by my second husband. I'll be 73 next month and have had cancer so I worry about dying and not seeing the oldest ever again.
ReplyDeleteThis was my grandfather's favorite hymn, and my mother's life song ~ ONE DAY AT A TIME, SWEET JESUS. I was gently reminded often that we are not supposed to dwell on our yesterdays, nor worry about our future, but to live and do our best in the day the Lord has made. I know, in life, we need plans and goals, and that is a good thing....but God's Grace is sufficient for the moment. Everyday, we can start over and do better. There is overwhelming peace in being in God's will and walking in His forgiveness ONE DAY AT A TIME. Angela ~ angelaamason63@yahoo.com ~
ReplyDeletePatty,
ReplyDeleteGod knows your heart.
I believe He will give you wisdom and guidance in your endeavors.
One of the nicest things our Adult Co~ordinator recently said
to another member of our Congregation in my presence was,
"Pat is slow to take offense and gives such sweet Spirit to her comments."
Through the years, God has truly worked a mircle in my life!!!
Be bold, walk forward in the love of Christ.
Gods peace to you, dear friend!!!
I will continue to hold you in my prayers!
Fondly,
Pat
You are not alone.
ReplyDeleteOur humanity is the very thing Christ uses for us to reach to one another.
Be encouraged, be at peace.
Much love to you, Patty.
xoxo's