I just
purchased a new devotional in the last few days and today’s reading left me in
awe. The biblical contribution was from
2 Timothy1 v. 16 and it detailed the tale of a friendship. “May the Lord show mercy to the household of
Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not afraid of my chains.”
I stand (ok,
I’m sitting) before all, and say that I am guilty, guilty because I use to be
one and on occasion am still one who is afraid of guilt by association, of
those who differ from me. I have,
although I ask God daily to show me the way out of the judgment seat I
sometimes find myself in, held others to a standard of my own choosing, rather
than let them be the masterpiece of the Creator.
The more I
live, the more I better grasp that no one is exactly like another. And it is in each individual’s uniqueness
that I find myself able to learn the value of life. Losing 4 significant people who helped to
shape me into the person I am, leaves an impression. The loss of even just one life, if it is
allowed, can change you to being more sensitive to those around you. Sometimes we hold too tight to what we have or have had, to be able to get through the day....I get that, but in the grasp or grip of terror, that something else might be forever taken away, what are we not able to accept because our hand is fisted? Life is fluid, not stagnant. I know only too well, the desire to go back to what once was, but you see, I can't and while that makes me sad, being held captive to what was, only serves to keep me despondent. We all question situations, but we must be careful that we not paint ourselves into a corner with no way out. And yes, I am aware that it works both ways, but ultimately the decisions we make are our own.
I’ve
recently been watching Downton Abbey. In
season 3, the housemaid Ethel becomes a prostitute after being rejected for
having had a bastard son with an army officer, who was only too willing until consequences played out. The “cook”
from the neighboring household refuses to stay in the employment of the lady of
the house because she doesn’t want to tarnish her reputation, whereby the lady
of the house, bids her good day, sticking up for the young mother, (who has left the profession trying to get her life back in order) in the manner much like that stated in 2
Timothy 1 v.16. The young mother is getting a second chance, but the cook, stands in judgment believing she is in the right and thinking the Lady of the house will side with her. Surprised? Why? Didn't Jesus do the same thing with Mary Magdalene? If He forgives, what right do we have NOT to? He has forgiven us...time and time again. I'm beyond grateful!
Whether we
know it or not, we are all bound by chains.
We may just happen to think our chains are more respectable than someone
else’s and I’m sorry to say, that is only true in our own eyes. I am not some holier than thou person, but I
have had my eyes opened to the plight of discrimination that has nothing to do
with any of the usual contexts (color, age, sex). Discrimination of any flavor is not
becoming and then I find in my saying that, I become guilty yet again for my
own judging attitude! Filters can and do change the picture.
Lord, my
prayer is that we each learn to accept and appreciate the masterpieces of
humanity that you have created. Let the
troubled find their way to you. Let the
Jesus in me, learn to respect the Jesus in them, because when we do not allow
it, we are saying that we have the right to judge another’s character, without
knowing all that has gone into its shaping.
Lord, I
offer myself to thee, to build with me and do with me as thy wilt. Release me from the bondage of self, so that
I may better do THY will. Take away my
difficulties so that they may bear witness to those I would help of Thy love,
Thy power and Thy way of life! May I do
Thy will always!
Looking up!
Barb
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