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I'm so glad you are here! I hope during your visit you get a glimpse of God's heart for we become what we are gazing at. I pray that God refreshes you and gives you readiness to persevere in what He has for you today. My desire is to be a blessing to you in helping you know God more and make Him known so I've made these Resources available to you and have the Missional Living blog tab for practical ideas of how to live on mission right where you are. And currently I am writing my way through Judges sharing glimpses of God's heart and character for a weekday devotional. To check out the entire series so far head on over the the Judges Devotional. And if you are a blogger, come on over on Friday's for a blog hop.
"Some time later, when he went back to marry her, he turned aside to look at the lion's carcass. In it was a swarm of bees and some honey, which he scooped out with his hands and ate as he went along. When he rejoined his parents, he gave them some, and they too ate it. But he did not tell them that he had taken the honey from the lion's carcass." Judges 14:8-9 Love chooses to do what's in the best interest of another. Isn't that just so contrary to everything the world shouts at us. I was on campus the other day waiting to meet some girls I disciple. A the table next to me there were 3 people talking about a relationship problem. One of the girls was having issues and wanted to talk to the person about it, so she was practicing what she would say on the other two. The two friends were very gracious and gentle. But not loving. This girl was digging a grave for this relationship by what she was saying. Basically, doing all the things you shouldn't do in communicating: Use "you" statements instead of "I", blame the other person while assuming their motives, don't actually ever get to the action point of what you would like to see different, use always and never... So there I was, sitting probably 1 or 2 feet away. Do I say something? Do I step in and give a little training of how to communicate? (Austin and I have done numerous training's on this, here's the gist) But wouldn't that be so awkward!? I suppose if you were super tactful you could pull it off. But I'm just not. Anyway, love says the hard thing, love does the uncomfortable thing. God says love is a choice and feelings follow. God says love chooses patience, kindness, contentment, humility, honor, forgiveness, truth, protection, trust, hope and perseverance. (1 Cor.13:4-7) And the opposite of love is self-pleasing, what Samson is an example of. Samson's Nazarite vow, given to him by God, said he was not to come in contact with anything dead. Yet here he is scooping the pleasing out of a dead animal. He put his own desires above choosing to do what's right, above obeying the Lord and above love. So what do these verses show me about the Lord? That He is love. That He always has and always will choose to do what's in our best interest. Always. He will always choose to act patient, kind, humbly, honoring, forgiving, honest, hopeful to me because He see's me through the perfection of Christ. His great love for me and for You shows not how great we are, but how great He is. 
Check out the Missional Living tab to read some awesome stories of how God is changing lives. And if you haven't already, Subscribe to receive a FREE copy of the Life Purpose Plan; discovering how your uniqueness, current reality and the mission fit together for the glory of God.
10 Comments
Sarah
3/5/2012 10:44:41 am
Totally agree with you! It seems that in today's world we are focused on just supporting our friends, instead of telling them what is hard. I have been reading my way through Choosing God's Best, a different take on the dating aspect in life. Most importantly what it seems we are missing it loving the Lord first, and then loving someone else. Thanks for your blog Laura! Thanks Sarah, You've got me curious on the dating book. :) I think our culture dictates way too much about what dating, engagement and marriage should look like. I was going to talk more about that but the post got way too long so had to delete. lol. Thanks for visiting.
Yeah, they sure can come across that way. I read this great article once called the lost art of making people feel stupid. Basically when you help someone see they really don't know that much (just through asking respectful questions) they are more teachable. And I've noticed with 18-25, they do have a lot to offer and want to take a try at their wings and just need some room to fail and know that is ok. Seems like they get shoved away a lot, not to be taken seriously until they are older, more experienced... but to communicate respect and value go a long way. 3/7/2012 02:24:35 pm
I received a letter recently that said used some of these "always/never", "you do this/that", blaming and assuming my motives... it was very painful and hurtful. It is difficult to be at the receiving end of someone's anger, and unleashing out pent-up hurt and bitterness. How am I to react? With grace. Because: Leave a Reply. |
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