What do you choose?
We choose kindness.
We choose love.
We choose humility.
We choose grace.
Not because it’s easy - because it most certainly is not - but because it’s what You have called us to.
I gotta say, you’ve been working that muscle for us a little too much for comfort lately, Lord… we’re sore! But we know that growth doesn’t come from doing what’s easy. Our character is being tested and refined by these trials and we’re coming out of it better because we’re choosing to look UP to You instead of getting lost in looking AT our circumstances.
This verse was brought to my attention as I struggled with processing the unkind and untrue words that were thrown my way this week…
“No good tree bears bad fruit,
nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.
Each tree is recognized by its own fruit.
People do not pick figs from thornbushes,
or grapes from briers.
A good man brings good things
out of the good stored up in his heart,
and an evil man brings evil things
out of the evil stored up in his heart.
For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”
Luke 6:43-45
I was reminded that, despite the choices of others we come into contact with, we can and should continue to choose goodness and continue to fill our hearts and our words with grace and love. May we find peace in knowing that You know our heart and ultimately our identity, our hope, and our desire can be fully found in You and in You alone!
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)
We can’t control how others treat us, but we can control our response. The world tells us “and eye for an eye,” but God calls us to turn the other cheek…
A very wise friend shared this Godly advice: “At the end of the day, God is the best at defending us as believers. God is more interested and tenacious in growing and protecting your heart in all of this. You have nothing to prove or defend. Learn from it. Grow wiser. Make any necessary changes and move forward with humility and clarity.”
Defending ourselves when someone speaks untruths about us or throwing insults back in their direction may feel gratifying in the moment, but it’s not of God - it’s not what He wants for us. So, instead choose kindness. Choose love. Choose humility. Choose grace. And take one more baby step in the direction of walking with Jesus. Because, in the end, aiming to be more like Him is far more gratifying than being like the enemy. I pray that we continue to make the unworldly choice to walk in God’s love so that we can bring good things out of the good stored up in our hearts!
Now, enough of the exercises, already. I’m calling for a rest day!
