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| Broken plate. |
One of the greatest things to
have in your life is an encourager, someone who nurtures you and builds you up
to be and do your very best. Whether they know it or not, you probably know at
least one person who has lived their life in such a way that you want to follow
their footsteps. To have a mentor that will invest in you and walk alongside
you leading you in the proper direction is indeed a great treasure. You might
share a family name with them, live with them, or even be one of them.
On the other hand, you might also
know people who just want to be left alone and do their own thing or even do
things harmful to themselves regardless of your pleas. “I’m not hurting anyone
else, it is my body and my life and I can do with them as I like”, is a common
line of reasoning. You might share a family name with them, live with them, or
even be one of them.
The problem is that the belief
that any damage is only theirs, is
wrong. One of the hardest concepts I have tried to explain, is that everyone IS making a difference for good or
bad whether they believe it or not.
Then, I saw this, and it made
sense to me.
This beautiful plate was created
for both beauty and function. One day it was bumped onto the floor. See the crack? Yes, right across the middle. I
repaired it the best I could, but it will never be “unbroken” and suitable for
its intended purpose again.
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| Damaged fence. |
A similar story with this fence
that has been quietly doing its job for 20-something years by keeping our
animals in and predators out. It was stalwart in its mission until broken by a
fallen limb. The tree has been growing near the fence, doing its job of growing
tall and providing shade and shelter for deer, rabbits, squirrels, lizards and
a wide variety of birds. Its leaves have grown each summer and fallen each
winter giving a blanket of compost for the forest floor. Its seeds have been food for a multitude, and
been scattered to provide little replicas of itself.
The plate, the fence, and the
tree were all given functions to accomplish, and did so until affected by an
outside force. The tree grew old and was un-nurtured in the forest, thus developed
weak branches. Wind took advantage of one of its weak branches. The tree now an
“amputee” without a limb. The fence, not equipped for such weight and force,
bent under the fallen limb, and although now repaired, it will be forever
damaged.
Isn’t it like that with us? We were
created and designed for our mission in life. No matter how strong we are, we
can become damaged by the actions of others. A person who falls (into bad
behavior) can take many lives with them, lives influenced by their actions now
forever scarred by the betrayal or injury. They can neither undo the fall nor
the effect. Like the fence hit by the crash of the limb, we can be permanently
scarred by the actions of others.
When Christians become negligent
in an area of weakness, we fall just like everyone else. The difference is,
that our falls are widely discussed. The old question about a tree falling in
the woods…in this case when a tree falls, not only does it make a sound, but everyone
hears it. Especially, if the tree was a longstanding pillar, the sound will
resound to many. Questions always accompany these “fallings” Should I believe anything they have said? If
they could fall, what hope do I have of standing? Or, if it was OK for them, then why shouldn’t I pursue that path? The
fall of one absolutely influences the faith and lives of others.
Before we piously shake our
fingers at those around us, let’s consider some areas of possible weakness on
our part.
·
Sexual
temptations are rampant. Bedroom clothing worn outside the bedroom, sexual innuendo, pornography has become
mainstream, and sexual perversion is titillating comedy of the day. Adultery,
fornication, and homosexuality are now perceived by many to be normal,
alternate lifestyles of consenting adults, and are commonplace and without shame.
You don’t have to be a celebrity to affect family members, or acquaintances who
see and hear of your behavior and then follow in your footsteps.
·
Marriage
is throw-away if it becomes less than perfect. It is no longer a covenant but
convenience, based upon the feelings of one party or the other. If it hurts, or needs work, it is tossed aside with tho hope of something better on the other side of the fence. Every time that
happens, it makes it a little easier for someone else to justify the same
decision.
·
Anger
has hit epidemic levels. Retaliation for opinions on social media to being in
the front of the freeway line is a rapidly growing movement. Patience is considered weakness, and retribution
is the way to get your own way, and prove your strength and superiority. When
we try to justify our actions with “heat of the moment” excuses we fail to take
responsibility and certainly will encourage others to do the same.
· Chemical
dependency is not new at all, but is rampant. Painkillers are wonderful
when used correctly. They also produce terrible results when misused. Alcohol
is touted as having many health benefits, but only when used properly. Marijuana
may have medicinal benefits, but also alters your state of mind, and ability to
think clearly. Dabbling leads to dependency. Dependency takes away from your
responsibilities elsewhere, and of course – tempts more to follow the same path.
· The name of
the Lord is precious - the most precious of all names - yet it is used
casually and irreverently. We attach it to the beginning of phrases when we
become angry, frustrated, or even startled. Sometimes we even try to pretend it
isn’t really His name, just a sound-alike phrase or initials of a recognizable
phrase. Without a reverence to His name, we lack an understanding of who He is,
drawing all who hear us speak this way away from Him.
Like the fence that did nothing
wrong, yet was permanently damaged by the fall of the tree limb, always bearing
the scar from the fallen limb, what we do with our lives can damage those close
to us. If someone who loves you has asked you to stop doing something that
endangers your life, your strength, and your testimony, then your actions are hurting someone, someone who loves
you, at that.
If I stepped on your toes, don’t worry, mine are pretty bruised
too. I don’t want to lead someone to make bad choices, and I doubt that you do
either.
What can we do? Start by recognizing
that;
- o Our
words can hurt someone far deeper than we imagine.
- o Our
anger can bring out words and actions that can’t be undone.
- o Our
actions leave prints, bruises, and scars that will remain for a lifetime.
- o Our
choices have an impact on all those around us – for good or bad.
- o Our
neglect to recognize our weak (limbs) will eventually cause damage to us, and
others.
Where then, do we go from here? We can’t go back and change
anything in the past, we only can purpose in our hearts to have a different
attitude from this point forward. How? Three good ways to start.
- . Draw nearer to God.
- Study His Word to know what He expects so we will recognize sin as sin, and
- ask Him for
forgiveness for our sins.
- . Seek His wisdom BEFORE we act.
- . Give our words, our actions, our anger, our
decisions to God
- rather than making those choices based on our feelings.
Father, we are in the world that is so full
of sin we forget to call it sin. Thank You for showing us the truth about sin,
and for Your provision for the forgiveness of that sin. Help us to be mindful
of seeking You rather than responding to our feelings, or desires, or following
the path of one who has fallen. Draw us nearer to You and than the world.
What characteristics would you want to see in a mentor for your life?
For more faith-building stories, including a very special hummingbird I named Oscar...
Read the first chapter here
For the rest of our story, find Oscar on
