So part of me (and all of my family) laughs at the things I say. Sometimes I can't believe the things that come out of my mouth. Lately my new catch phrase has been "I'm not judging, I'm just saying. . . . ". I have coined a new way to put a disclaimer on all of my ridiculous judgmental statements that I make. My husband likes to remind me that if I have to start the statement out like that there is a strong chance that I am doing exactly what I'm claiming not to do. I would like to credit this to him as wisdom, but this one is a no-brainer.
How many times do I get into the habit of judging others, comparing myself to them, finding their faults in all they do. Shame on me. How many times does the Lord have to remind me to look at the plank in my own eye. And yes, I have been known to ask him to remove it in order that I might be able to see others specks more clearly in order to "help them". I'm a sad case. But I am a perfect example of why the Lord tells me to pick up MY cross daily (not others) and die to myself on a daily basis. When days, weeks or sadly months go by without a self crucifixion, I find myself in a place of saying "Lord, how did I get here and how do you continually deal with me?"
Thankfully, so thankfully, I am reminded each day and especially this past week of how he deals with my failure. He dealt with them on the cross. He dealt His blood for my life. He sacrificed everything to allow me to walk in Victory to be covered by forgiveness and grace. Not only for me, but for EVERYONE!
So what does He require of me?
Micah 6:8 He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
When ever I see a verse where the Lord is asking me to do something, I always try and picture what that looks like in my life. Acting justly and loving mercy looks different in different people. The Lord desires these same things in all of His followers, we just all look different walking it out. So I'm going to go walk my walk and die daily along the way. Won't you walk your walk to?
It is true that the Lord will continue to do the work He started in us until the day of Christ Jesus, when it will be completed! So the Lord has brought you to yet another level of non-judgment...we don't arrive, do we?...until Glory :) So, I do join you in continuing to 'pick up my cross and follow Him.'
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