What's that in your eye?
Have you ever wondered if the speck we are seeing in someone else's eye is really a reflection of the plank in our own eye? Perhaps the shadow of our plank is reflecting off the surface of their life.
It is so easy for us to notice the imperfections in others. Sometimes I think we even create issues that aren't truly there, as a result of our own guilty consciences or our own inner feelings.
A simple example of this is a tired child who cries over the unfairness of everything. The real issue isn't that everything everyone else is doing is actually unfair. The real issue is their own plank: they are tired and need to rest. The specks they are seeing in everyone else are only a reflection of their own plank.
The examples of planks grow more serious as we grow older: jealousy, insecurity, dishonesty, adultery, deception, addiction, two-facedness, etc. All can result in an hypocrisy in our lives…we have these things within us, but harshly project them onto others or judge them in error, when what we "think" we see in them is really the reflection of our own internal issues.
It is so easy for us to see the sins in the lives of others, and sometimes, perhaps the sin we see is real, but we really need to worry more about our own issues.
When we notice specks in the lives of those around us more often than we notice them in ourselves, it is likely that we are actually carrying around a plank. Our plank is probably reflecting off of them and showing something that isn't even there.
I hope that today, like me, you will bear with the specks on those around you, and ask God to remove the planks from your own life. What a happier environment we will create as we do so.
It can be so easy for us to judge people and circumstances by what we see on the outside. However, when we are seekers of the Lord, and are consistently gaining more understanding of Him and His will, we find that judgment does not come quite so easily.
The wisdom from the Lord helps us to understand justice according to God's will and not our own.
We want revenge, but God says vengeance is His. We want to strike back, but God says turn the other cheek. We want to be found more faithful, but God says humble yourself and do not think more highly of yourself than you ought. We believe in choice, but the Lord says to plead the cause of those unable to speak for themselves.
Justice, according to us, is self-seeking and certainly fickle. One day we're in a kind, peaceful, forgiving mood. The next day we might find ourselves mad at the world. If we seek justice according to our thoughts, emotions, feelings, and personal beliefs, disaster will certainly ensue. How many wars, divorces, and divisions could have been avoided if personal justice wasn't sought?
When we become more like Jesus, seeking the will of the Father, then we understand justice according to the One who is true. God's ways are not our ways, but plans are for good, and He has proven Himself through the ages to be faithful and sovereign.
If we are to understand justice, we should seek to understand justice from the viewpoint of our Father in heaven. We can dig through His word and understand what true justice is. When we seek the Lord we can understand all.
Let's talk about something interesting today: Jesus.
Did you know that when you talk about The Lord, He listens?
Our Sunday school lesson last week was from Mt. 16:13-20, when Jesus asked His disciples, "Who do you say I am?" The principle of our lesson was 'practice talking about God.' We encouraged our children to get to know Jesus in a more personal way, so they have something to share about Him.
One thing I forgot to mention to them is that when we do talk about The Lord He listens.
The Lord is writing a book of remembrance. When we talk about Him: meditate on His name, praise Him, talk of what He's done in our lives, talk about His greatness, talk of His strength, talk about Him around our tables and campfires, share about Him with others or with one another, He hears.
He listens and it is so important to Him that he is having a book written to remember the words and one day we will be made His jewels. :).
Talking about Him is never done in vain. He says He will spare us…just for talking about something that is probably our favorite subject anyway. I love to hear people talk about The Lord and His greatness.
Who do you say that Jesus is? If you're not sure, read more about Him. If you know, then share it. Talk about Him, and as you honor Him, He will record it to be remembered always, and one day you will be His jewel for all eternity.
The first example that comes to my mind pertains to losing weight. How many times have we heard people wish out loud (or perhaps done it ourselves) that they would eat better and lose weight.
"Oh, it's frustrating being overweight." "I need to start eating better." "I wish I could wear clothes like that, run a 5k, or have that much energy." The list goes on and on.
Stating the desire out loud can cause deep sorrow or depression when the one speaking it knows they will do nothing to achieve that goal. It may seem like dreaming the impossible dream.
The reality; however, is that by making the decision to put forth the labor, the weight could in fact come off. Deciding that the desire is worth the effort, one could finally begin to say no to unhealthy foods and yes to healthy choices.
There are lots of examples of this: saving money, getting out of debt, reading the Bible more, taking time for ourselves each day, spending more time with family, learning that hobby we've been dreaming about, beginning a foundation, joining a ministry…the list could go on and on.
What is it that you've been desiring, but feeling as if it were an impossible dream?
Ask The Lord to help you. Nothing is impossible for God, and with Him all things are possible. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
As Christians, we must remember that God did not give us a spirit of fear. There is nothing we can't do with God on our side. God gave us a spirit of power and of love and of a sound mind.
A sound mind. When we decide our desire is worth the labor, and we ask The Lord to help us, we can grasp that desire with hands full of power. We do not have live under the heaviness of unfulfilled desires. We can reach out, through God, and see our desires come to life.
Today is the day when we can begin the labor that will see our desire fulfilled! Ask God to help, and let's get to work.
Obviously not all kings are or have been the same. The character of the king would certainly determine his judgments.
This verse brings to mind my current situation. From my seat on the couch, where I have positioned myself while my leg heals, I can see a lot of different things.
This morning, as the sun has been streaming so beautifully through the door, I can see every speck of dust on my floor. I can see things outside that need to be taken care of. I can see dvd's out of place, things in the floor that don't belong, and decorations positioned in ways I don't prefer.
I certainly have the option to use my seat as a place of corrupt judgment, tyrannically demanding that every little thing be exactly to my specifications and liking. However, I also have the option of using wise judgment and understanding, ruling out what is truly imperative and what is not.
When we make judgments based on self-interests alone, we are doing an injustice to those around us. When we count everything as "evil," then nothing truly is. We must wisely discriminate which infringements require us to rule in a negative way and which do not.
It's amazing that The Lord, our God, sits on a throne of grace where we are offered mercy time after time. God sees into our hearts. He may see things out of place, He may notice specks of dirt or brokenness, but He rightly judges.
God does not look on us through eyes of anger, but through eyes of love. He does not rule in His own self-interest, but in ours. He sent His own Son to take our punishment, offering us reward through accepting that sacrifice. He even offers help anytime we ask.
What a mighty a God we truly serve! God cannot tolerate sin, but He can see into our hearts, and when we are truly broken before Him, grace through the blood of Jesus covers and frees us.
God isn't sitting around looking for the debris or disorganization in our lives so that He can judge us harshly. Our King, is gazing lovingly at those who choose to call Him Father, with arms outstretched, grace and mercy pouring from His throne.
Yes, those who do not turn from Him will be judged, as well, but it is not His desire. His character is proven by His love. His judgments are pure and we can trust in Him.
Psalm 43 is a prayer to God in time of trouble. At times, any one of us can experience depression, worry, distress, pain, or sadness. People around us may be experiencing those things right now.
Isn't it so true that when we are in times of trouble, we crave light? We crave a lifting of the spirit, and an uplifting of our souls. Sometimes, even though we know that's what we need, we can't seem to find our way. We need to be led to God's holy hill…to His tabernacle.
If we could just get into His presence, we would experience the peace and find the Light and truth we seek.
That is why it is so important, when we are not in a place of trouble, that the Light of God within us is lighting the way towards the Lord. Others may also be struggling, seeking the peace the need and the light that shines through us may be their only hope.
What a gift to allow the Light and Truth of the Lord within us to lead them to the altar of a God, to their exceeding joy, where they can make joyful, musical praise to their God! "To God my exceeding joy" may be some of my favorite words in the Bible. Those words lift my spirit and remind me that it is in a God that true joy is found.
if we have God, we have all we will ever truly need.
We must let our light so shine as to lead others to a His holy hill, to His tabernacle, where they may fall at the altar of The Lord and find their exceeding joy.
We need to make sure our lights are shining in a way that glorifies God. Those living in darkness need a light to guide their path toward salvation.