Me:  You finished that work quick Prodigal!

Prodigal:  I was on it like stink on a skunk.

Me:  Well, I am impressed.

Prodigal:  I don’t think them over yonder were very productive though.

Me:  Prodigal may be it is best we don’t say anything and instead let me just share.

 

This is from the book Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa Terkeurst and written by Melanie Chitwood

 

I’ve been thinking lately about how easy it is to judge others or to think I have the answers for others.  For example, when I see a mother frustrated by her unruly kids, I might think, “She just needs to put those kids in a long time-out.”  Another time I observe a couple having trouble in their marriage and I question their commitment to God’s ways.

In a nutshell, I can be self-righteous, just like the Pharisees.  God has been making me aware lately of some of the unspoken yardsticks by which I measure others, such as:  A good mom doesn’t  let her kids watch too much TV and doesn’t scream at her kids.  Or, a godly woman has a quiet time every day and doesn’t fight with her husband.

But then there’s Jesus who turns those notions upside down when He says, “The greatest of these is love.”  What if instead of self-righteousness, we rained down love?  It would sound like this:  “Being a mom can be exhausting.  Do you want to come over and hang out for a while?”  or “I’ve had struggles in my marriage too.  Do you want to talk about it?”

God is challenging me to examine my spoken and unspoken judgements of others.  He wants us to come alongside others and help carry their burdens, rather than add to them with our criticism.  Where the Pharisees heap coals of judgement, Jesus calls us to be vessels of His love and encouragement.

 

Lord help me to remember this love during the week.

 

Matthew 23:11

But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

 

Jennifer Van Allen

 

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org