Proverbs Chapter Fourteen:
Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can fully share its joy. (vs. 10)
Such a true verse. Such a true verse! It reminds me that I can sympathize with what people are going or have gone through, but ultimately, I will not truly or fully understand their situation. And the same goes in reverse: I cannot expect someone else to fully understand what I've been through or what I'm going through at the time, so I should not be disappointed that that person doesn't really "get it."
It's also a reminder not to judge others. I heard a great message on this my last Sunday in Colorado. I went to my brother's church in Colorado - a truly amazing church. (I went to another amazing church here in Ohio this morning, which I will blog about either tonight or tomorrow) You can listen to the message here. It was a good reminder that it's not up to me to judge others - and this verse tells me that I'm never going to fully understand why someone does what they do, or why someone acts the way they do - because I can't fully understand what they've been through. I can't really examine fully someone's heart and see the bitterness that it contains, or the measure of joy that it has. If I can't judge someone's heart, why judge their actions then? (Of course, we are supposed to not be judgmental, but we can help correct someone - hopefully we can know when we are supposed to.)
The poor are despised even by their neighbors, while the rich have many "friends." It is sin to despise one's neighbors; blessed are those who help the poor. Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but those who help the poor honor him. (vs. 20-21, 31)
I've seen the whole neighbor thing in this passage taken out of context - obviously what Solomon is talking about here is not just the "neighbor" down the street (therefore, if we live in a rich neighborhood, we may think that this does not apply to us); it's talking about everyone. Even more so in our time; where our neighbor in another country doesn't really seem that far away because of the technological advances we have made. We can instantly talk to someone halfway across the world; we can fly across the world in less than a day.
When you read the Old Testament, as well as the words of Jesus, you begin to understand how the poor are truly near the heart of God. And if our goal as Christians is to become "little Christs", in other words Christlikeness; then we will serve the poor and honor the One who loves them with all His heart.
4 comments:
Here is my take on the "don't be judgmental of actions"... I may not know why they do what they do..but if it's hurtful to others...I'm not going to just sit back and accept it and say "Oh it's because they had this or that happen in their past"
I think the "correction" or even confrontation piece sometimes needs to happen as uncomfortable as it is.
I'm glad you were able to experience worship from the other side (not leading) I hope it helped to refresh your spirit.
I agree with you - which is why I said the whole correction piece - but I think that ultimately we leave it to God to judge that person. We can tell people they are wrong, because it's what God says in His Word - but (1)ultimately we aren't the one who will hold them responsible for their actions, and (2)we better make sure we look at ourselves and our own planks before we look at someone's speck in their eye (Matt. 7).
Perhaps I didn't phrase what I meant right. :^)
I agree with you and I know that I shouldn't judge on actions but I struggle with that when the actions are hurtful..esp when it affects my children.
I need to do a better job in recognizing when I just need to walk away and give it to God.
Yeah, when stuff affects your children, it is especially hard to not respond. Which I guess makes you a good parent - if you were indifferent, that would be bad.
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