Maybe I haven't been walking around screaming at people. But in my head, I've been screaming. In my mind, I've been teaching lessons. In my thoughts, I've been judging people for the very things that I'm lacking in.
Quite a confession for a Friday morning. I know. The internet tends to listen pretty well. :)
So, I found a CD this morning (who listens to CDs anymore, right?) that I listened to constantly in college. (Beth and Jenn, you would recognize this RIGHT AWAY if you heard it...I probably tortured you with it for two years.) It struck me so sharply as I was working away at my computer.
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Who gave you the right to judge me?
Did we not come from the same seed?
Was it you who gave the sea it's boundaries?
Is it your wrath that could expose me?
We are set apart by one thing only...unfailing love...and I accept it.
Those who thought they were sowing wheat will reap thorns. You've become rich and powerful, fat and sleek. You're gonna fall backwards.
"Shaken"
by: Unspoken
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God forbid that I ever become so "rich and powerful" in my knowledge and ideas of how things should be done on the mission field that I start to judge others and fall backwards.
Instead, let me not forsake my first love:
"Seeking Jesus, His steps I measure. My eyes on Jesus, no thoughts of turning. He's got me wasted, I'm drunk in love with You."
"Thinkin' of You"
by: Unspoken
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I don't know if you've ever heard of Dr. Rodney Howard Browne. He's a pretty well known charismatic evangelist that is friends with our director Phil and the ministry. He came to visit the base this week and said (roughly) this about sharing the Gospel with people:
"We don't need discouraged people sharing the love of Christ. We don't need joyless, hopeless, pessimistic people sharing the love of Christ. We need joyful, free people. We need people who laugh and smile and who are not under a burden of religion."
How easy is it to get religious in our "service" for the kingdom. And how carefully we must guard against it!
Some old pictures:
Sunda when she was about 15 months old. Oh, how she has changed!
Me and the group of LIFE teachers that I work with and train on a regular basis.
Hope you have a lovely weekend!
3 comments:
I was on a train today. 2 grandparents brought 2 grandkids into "business class". The teacher with only one week of summer vacation left in me did some serious judging. The woman sitting near them invited them over, shared vanilla wafers and was generally patient and entertaining. When I spoke to her about being the paragon of patience she said "they just needed some attention.". I was so humbled by her compassion. There is always suffering to overcome. Our own or other's. I feel grateful that I'm given moments that teach me to suspend my judging. It's a life spent improving our humanity.
What a beautiful picture of Jake and Sundie. I remember the first time we saw her on video. She has come such a long way...we can't imagine what we ever did without her in our family. She is so fortunate to have such loving parents. We are truly blessed by all of you!
Can't wait to see you VERY SOON!
XOXOXO
Nene
PS. Look out Robinson...here we come!!!!
I DO remember that CD... I think it actually might still be in my iTunes. Not that I ever listen to it.... :)
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