“Always trust the Lord completely. Do not think that your own wisdom is
enough. Remember the Lord in everything that you do. If you do, he will show
you the right way to go. Do not think about yourself as wiser than you really are.
Be afraid of the Lord and refuse to do wrong things. If you do, it will be like good
medicine. It will be like medicine that makes your body well. And it will be like
something that makes your bones strong.”
Proverbs 3:5-8 EASY
https://www.bible.com/2079/pro.3.5-8.easy
As I continue to support others, I have slowly come to the realization that I am
not their judge. Yes, I have my opinions but I’m really not entitled to decide
whether what they are doing is right or wrong. My job is to love them and support them
and be there for them when they are ready. As I continue my journey with
Christ, it is He who teaches morals. That’s why all of us have a conscience. We
are all programmed to know right over wrong. That’s why we all know deep
inside there is a God. That’s why Churches are dotted everywhere to constantly
be reminded He is there. Walk by if you must, but the reminder remains. Yes,
some people have hardened hearts and I pray that God aids them in seeing
their ways. However, any change will be from God, not me.
So where do I fit in? Don’t my opinions help others even if I disagree with their
thoughts and actions? I need to review my experiences.
I work with a fellow who has FASD. He repeatedly is in and out of jail for domestic
violence. He would say he regrets his actions and solicits my advice. I tell him I
am not his judge but I do know the Bible says we reap what we sow.
Fast forwarding, this fellow has gradually changed. It’s not by my doing. I am
simply the tool. It’s really by God’s doing. This fellow now asks me more about
God and the Bible. He opens the conversation, not me. He’s slowly moving towards
God through God Himself. I have seen this happen many times. Just the other
day, a worker for one of my guys asks me, out of the blue, what I think about
God. Yes, God did His work and now it’s my turn. Now, every time he comes, he
gives me Bible questions and we talk. God sends them to me when it’s my turn. I
need to do nothing except be ready to help. This works much better than
pushing my opinions on others. Once their back is up, I actually make God’s
work harder!
Now, I could have told this fellow what I really thought of his behaviors but all I
would have achieved was anger and resistance. He would have not changed
because I don’t know best. God knows best. If he asks my thoughts, I share them
even though what I am about to say is critical.
As I grow, I realize more and more that I need to let God do His Will. Yes, I
should ask questions to try to understand. Yes, I should do research to garner
understanding and share that understanding with others. Yes, I should respond
if asked even though my response may be a hard pill to swallow. However, I
need to let God do all the work in changing someone’s life.
It’s really hard to let God take the wheel and drive lives. He wants us to trust
He is fully for a reason. I do know when I do, I am approached about my thoughts
on the glory of God without me starting the conversation. It’s God’s way to tell
me He now turns this person over to me. Even though He turns this person over
to me, I need to remember that He can grab the wheel anytime He wants. God
lets me know when to do that as well.
I suppose my thoughts towards others are tempered with Christ. Now I
understand how to act as directed by the Holy Spirit within me.
by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor
Alberta, Canada
