Proverbs 27: Like a bird that wanders from its nest is a man who wanders from his place.
When someone reminds us of behaviors that aren’t consistent with being a Christian we slump into a very deep place and wonder which way should we turn? It’s very hard to face. When we turn around and walk alongside others who are in pain, it’s possible to allow ourselves to suffer physical and mental distress and find it easier to turn our backs on God. I don’t have to wonder if Jesus suffered as we do, for it is written. If you look in the bible in John chapter 18 you will find where Jesus was betrayed in Gethsemane, where he was mocked by the soldiers, and then later beaten. The bible shows us that Jesus was human and he does love us and have feelings as we do. Did you know that Jesus wept, John 11:35. This gave me better understanding to knowing that Jesus understands me and knows how my heart hurts when I know I turned against Him. As I began being someone I wasn’t.
Facing someone telling you that you didn’t walk the walk that you was preaching about is much harder to accept, and not because they felt the desire to tell you, but knowing it was truthful. James reminds us, “If you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.” (James 1:22-24) We must walk away from the word of God believing what it says about us as a new creation and act like it is so. James calls the Gospel, the Law of Liberty. James tells us how to grow in this faith that results in doing: “Look into the Perfect Law of Liberty, continue to study God’s perfect teachings that make free. But if you keep looking steadily into God’s perfect law – the law that sets you free – and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it”
I walked away briefly, living in a world outside of God’s word and for that I am sorry. I needed the wakeup call, and now I feel the Love of the Lord again. Each day is a struggle but I know with each daily walk with Jesus, that all things are going to be good. Please don’t ever just keep going in the wrong direction if you feel you have gotten off track. Reach out to God, get back into His word, and know the following.
Psalm 94:14-19 God will never walk away from his people, never desert his precious people. 15 Rest assured that justice is on its way and every good heart put right. 16 Who stood up for me against the wicked? Who took my side against evil workers? 17 If God hadn't been there for me, I never would have made it. 18 The minute I said, "I'm slipping, I'm falling," your love, God, took hold and held me fast. 19 When I was upset and beside myself, you calmed me down and cheered me up.
To the one who felt they needed to remind me how my behavior had been, Thank you! My heart never left God, and I will continue to grow as I get back into daily study and worship… God bless each and every one of you.
