For it is God who works in you.
My wife just spent the last 24 hours in a hospital helping her sister give birth to a healthy baby boy. Her sister's boyfriend was not there.
I have another sister-in-law in jail on aggravated murder charges because of her boyfriend and drugs.
It would have been good if the right thing had been done in these situations, such as a committed husband and father, a man not dealing in drugs and going for the meth high, but I am not as concerned with the past as I am with the present and the future.
I am not concerned with how can we change these people or "fix" their problems but how I can be an encouragement.
I don't want to start another program or beat people over the head with guilt. I want us to realize that we can make a difference by just existing.
"Do good; you will surprise some people and annoy the rest." (If you know who made this quote, let me know.)
This is what I am thinking. In order to help my wife's sisters, I have to have my life in order. In order to help someone else be disciplined, I myself need to be disciplined. In order to give hope to others, I must have hope.
If we are overcome by our struggles and sin, we are not going to be able to pull someone else up.
I can't make my sister-in-law get married nor can help my other sister-in-law get out of jail.
Each woman will have struggles with their choices.
Am I prepared to be an encouragement, a good example for these woman? Can I show them, consistently, kindness and compassion and encourage them to return to God?
The next two scriptures show me what God has done and is doing in our lives. If we spent less time thinking about what is on TV and thinking more about what is on our heart, then we can be a strong tool for God and His kingdom.
Jesus says this in John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
Philippians 2:12-13 "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
I have another sister-in-law in jail on aggravated murder charges because of her boyfriend and drugs.
It would have been good if the right thing had been done in these situations, such as a committed husband and father, a man not dealing in drugs and going for the meth high, but I am not as concerned with the past as I am with the present and the future.
I am not concerned with how can we change these people or "fix" their problems but how I can be an encouragement.
I don't want to start another program or beat people over the head with guilt. I want us to realize that we can make a difference by just existing.
"Do good; you will surprise some people and annoy the rest." (If you know who made this quote, let me know.)
This is what I am thinking. In order to help my wife's sisters, I have to have my life in order. In order to help someone else be disciplined, I myself need to be disciplined. In order to give hope to others, I must have hope.
If we are overcome by our struggles and sin, we are not going to be able to pull someone else up.
I can't make my sister-in-law get married nor can help my other sister-in-law get out of jail.
Each woman will have struggles with their choices.
Am I prepared to be an encouragement, a good example for these woman? Can I show them, consistently, kindness and compassion and encourage them to return to God?
The next two scriptures show me what God has done and is doing in our lives. If we spent less time thinking about what is on TV and thinking more about what is on our heart, then we can be a strong tool for God and His kingdom.
Jesus says this in John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
Philippians 2:12-13 "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
posted by Glen at 4:53 AM
1 Comments:
I think what I like most about your thoughts here is that you are choosing to agonize over things that you can affect. You can only make choices and decisions for youself. Now, while these do affect other people, you can not make decisions and choices for them.
Once we work on ourselves, we can finally be in a position to support and encourge others, (notice that I did not say, nor did I hear you say judge others).
I am looking forward to hearing more about your journey.
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