Ready, Aim, Grow!

One of the things that I vividly remember in my Christian experience was a repeated pattern that seemed to occur in my life. Because I was Director of Christian Education, it was my job to teach the teachers so to speak. By using the International Sunday School Lesson – you were not selective in the scriptures that came up – they were already pre-determined each year – so what the lesson on that particular week was, you would have to deal with, ready or not!

Since confession is good for the soul, I want to confess that early in my Christian experience I had a good handle on understanding the Word of God. But how many of you know that understanding it in a literal sense, does not mean that you understand it in your heart – and have you discovered that the “heart is deceitful, who can know it?” In fact, if you haven’t figured it out yet, one of the best ways you find out what is really in your heart is to begin to try to expound regularly on the Word! Teaching Sunday School, or a Bible Study is a good way to discover just who you are! For as sure as you handle the Word – it will handle you!

So back to my story, week after week would go by and God in His Mercy would let me slide. And then, as sure as I thought I had this thing down pat – and got a little cocky – a little judgmental, a little critical concerning my brothers and sisters – then BAM! – I was hit with the truth that as much as I thought I had victory in a particular area, when really tested in the fire of a trial – I was the one standing in the need of prayer!

One day, I came across this scripture:

Galatians 6:1 (KJV)
Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

I was slow to catch on to the intensity of what this really meant – but once I got it, it was revelatory. I was going through in a greater way, the things that I had found fault iin other people – it never failed – once I became conscious of “a fault” to the degree that I began to feel superior to it, and worst yet would put my mouth on it, (you know how we do – we call our prayer partner and pray on something that our neighbor is dealing with) – it never would fail – I would be subject to a test in this same area, only it seemed to a greater degree than the one I had talked about!

Soon I saw a pattern – and never being a child that needed to be whipped – I learned to withhold my judgment when it surfaced – (and it will, we’re human) – and to embrace that mercy gift – not excusing – but with compassion, understanding – and trying to reach that situation in love, rather than condemnation. It has never been easy – I am still attacked – but I’ve gone through enough to know that mercy begets mercy – and mercy suits all our case!

God Bless You,
Maria