Drama.
Back-stabbing.
Revenge.
Hate.
Jealousy.
Hypocrisy.
They all break up friendships. You've seen it happen. I don't need to explain scenarios to you for you to understand what I mean, because, well, it's everywhere. Especially in high school. One minute someone who you thought was your friend suddenly is the person you're spreading rumors about.
But I feel for that person who is rejected. Whether she stole a boyfriend or loss her virginity, the problem runs deeper than most care to notice. Everyone points their fingers with condemnation while shaming her with their eyes. She feel like she wears a scarlet letter.
In the book of Lamentations Judah is personified as a woman. This really caught my attention and for the first chapter all I could think about was how alike high school this was. Everyone stares and laughs at the girl...and they don't see their own hypocrisy: "With no one to help her, the adversaries saw her and mocked at her downfall" (vs.7). Lamentations 1:2 says, "She weeps bitterly in the night...she has none to comfort her. All her friends have dealt treacherously with her.They have become her enemies." She is lonely and the saddest part is...she has no choice. No one cares to be seen with her. Everyone is afraid to.
Judah hadn't realized how great her consequences would be, or how desolate she would become (vs. 9). She almost seems shocked at the revelation, and the realization of how disobedient she truly was starts to sink in. This hard lesson has put the fear of God in her.
She continues by saying, "Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? Is there any sorrow like my sorrow?" (vs. 12). She's asking for compassion, or for even a small ounce of understanding. But no one wants to. Because to do that, they'd have to admit that they understand her nature to sin. They'd have to admit they were no better than her.
Many times throughout this chapter she exclaims, "I have no comforter." In verse 16 she weeps for her lonliness and how conscious she is of how distant her comforter (God) is from her. In verse 18 she expands upon how rebellious she has been to her righteous and just God, and how undeserving she is of His mercy. The price for disobedience has never been so harsh...and costly.
By verse 20 she is crying out in distress to God - she can't deal with the overwhelming pain, shame, and guilt she suffers. In 21 the people is still rejoicing in her pain, and she reports it to God. She sees their hypocrisy and how unjust it is.
But the last verse, 22, is a warning and even a prophesy, if you will, about those of us who have scorned someone like her. We will have repercussions, my friends: "Let all their wickedness come before You, and do to them as You have done to me for all my transgressions..." Your sins are no better than anyone else's. We all lie and deceive ourselves in this because we are too prideful and self-righteous. Be on your guard, my friends. Confess your sins to God, so on judgement day, your mind doesn't reel back to this blog and the book of Lamentations. Take this warning and heed it wisely.
Friday, August 1, 2014
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
How Do They Do It???
How do they do it? I've often asked myself this question, huffing a little in frustration as I wondered how some people can do it. How can some people be overflowing with love constantly?
I consider myself a loving person who cares a lot about people and being there for them. For those that know me, I want to be everyone's friend. And sometimes, when I'm feeling super Jesus-like, I want to be his or her best friend. I love encouraging people, spending time and buying gifts as a gesture of love. I could barely know you and say, "Wanna go do something?" Of course, I'm generally an introvert who is shy at first, but once I open up there is no stopping me. So you better be ready!
But then there are those days....You know those days; those days you just want to avoid other human beings and watch Netflix. Or just sleep. Oh, and if you're feeling really anti-social, cuddle up with your cat and eat ice cream. Whatever way is your style, you're not feeling very selfless and Jesus-like. I'm not saying that it's bad to have some serious alone time now and then and rewind - no. I'm saying there needs to be a balance. Otherwise the attitude becomes habitual, and suddenly, we're all we focus on.
That is dangerous; the idea that we don't have time for others, we just want to relax. I mean yeah we all have busy days, but don't let it turn into an excuse. That's when things get ugly. Trust me, I know. I ruined a relationship with someone because of this. But the world does not revolve around you.
So, with that said, maybe you've felt that attitude and self-focus creeping in, and you're wondering, how do some people do it??? Well, let me answer that.
Those who never tire of giving themselves and loving in every way possible have a secret weapon: the Bible. If you're thinking that you thought it was going to be way more exciting, let me elaborate. People who never tire of being selfless and giving love get into God's word daily. They let God speak to their hearts and in response God sows seeds inside of them that grow and prosper. They pray for God's words to penetrate their heart so they can produce a full harvest of righteousness. The seeds inside of them comes to life through obedience.
Their focus is not on themselves. It's on God. And you know why they're so happy? Because God's word gives them the energy - spiritual energy. It's a great, beautiful thing. It doesn't feel like work to compliment someone or just say hi and smile in the hallway. It's not weird to talk to the kid no one talks to in class. It all becomes second nature. Does your heart desire at this moment to be like that? If it does, God is speaking to your heart; right now, right this minute.
So, how do you become the person everyone wants to be friends with? That never tires of impacting someone's life in small ways? That's always loving and just a beautiful person inside and out?
1.) Get into God's word daily. Seek Him; I promise He'll respond.
2.) Believe you can make a difference. Guess what- it's your calling. As a Christian, God calls us to love one another. You were made to make a difference.
"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." - John 15:12
"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."1 Corinthians 13:13
I consider myself a loving person who cares a lot about people and being there for them. For those that know me, I want to be everyone's friend. And sometimes, when I'm feeling super Jesus-like, I want to be his or her best friend. I love encouraging people, spending time and buying gifts as a gesture of love. I could barely know you and say, "Wanna go do something?" Of course, I'm generally an introvert who is shy at first, but once I open up there is no stopping me. So you better be ready!
But then there are those days....You know those days; those days you just want to avoid other human beings and watch Netflix. Or just sleep. Oh, and if you're feeling really anti-social, cuddle up with your cat and eat ice cream. Whatever way is your style, you're not feeling very selfless and Jesus-like. I'm not saying that it's bad to have some serious alone time now and then and rewind - no. I'm saying there needs to be a balance. Otherwise the attitude becomes habitual, and suddenly, we're all we focus on.
That is dangerous; the idea that we don't have time for others, we just want to relax. I mean yeah we all have busy days, but don't let it turn into an excuse. That's when things get ugly. Trust me, I know. I ruined a relationship with someone because of this. But the world does not revolve around you.
So, with that said, maybe you've felt that attitude and self-focus creeping in, and you're wondering, how do some people do it??? Well, let me answer that.
Those who never tire of giving themselves and loving in every way possible have a secret weapon: the Bible. If you're thinking that you thought it was going to be way more exciting, let me elaborate. People who never tire of being selfless and giving love get into God's word daily. They let God speak to their hearts and in response God sows seeds inside of them that grow and prosper. They pray for God's words to penetrate their heart so they can produce a full harvest of righteousness. The seeds inside of them comes to life through obedience.
Their focus is not on themselves. It's on God. And you know why they're so happy? Because God's word gives them the energy - spiritual energy. It's a great, beautiful thing. It doesn't feel like work to compliment someone or just say hi and smile in the hallway. It's not weird to talk to the kid no one talks to in class. It all becomes second nature. Does your heart desire at this moment to be like that? If it does, God is speaking to your heart; right now, right this minute.
So, how do you become the person everyone wants to be friends with? That never tires of impacting someone's life in small ways? That's always loving and just a beautiful person inside and out?
1.) Get into God's word daily. Seek Him; I promise He'll respond.
2.) Believe you can make a difference. Guess what- it's your calling. As a Christian, God calls us to love one another. You were made to make a difference.
"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." - John 15:12
"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."1 Corinthians 13:13
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)