December 9
Be careful however, that the exercise of your rights does not
become a stumbling block to the weak. I Corinthians 8:9
We have heard countless times in life, “You never know who is watching!” As the years go by I understand that statement even more. Have you ever received a compliment about something done or said that was observed when you were unaware of being scrutinized? As much as positive reinforcements are heartening, on the other hand, how many times have we been observed acting in a manner not reflecting the love Christ expects of us? How many times have we felt we had the right to act without consideration of another person, improperly thinking that our impatience, insensitivity or selfishness was justified? Worse yet, how many times have our actions been the cause of somebody changing their attitude about the relevance of behaving with thoughtfulness and caring? Without a doubt, what we carry in our hearts is revealed one way or another and the atmosphere we surround ourselves with, affects us. It is sobering to think about. Like an elephant in a room, (How I love elephants!) indifference gets in our way, enormously! But sometimes it seems, we are unable to get past this stumbling block because we just cannot see beyond what’s in front of us.
How like little children we can be! The roller coaster ride we live while we are learning is easy to see in observing little ones in a playgroup. Amidst all the activity certain age-appropriate behaviors really stand out. There is one little one having a typical two-year-old temper tantrum setting the others off to tears in a domino effect; then there is the grabby little one not yet capable of sharing, in the middle of a tug-of-war, creating heartache in an uncomprehending little buddy; then again there in the opposite corner is one who is helping out a little friend, quietly sharing their playthings, unintentionally bringing a gentle cooperativeness to their time together. All these behaviors and more are played out multiple times in a very short span by each child. With guidance from their parents and educators, slow steady acceptable social development is worked on. It is a process. They are learning. So still are we.
We are God’s children. He has taught us in His Word and in Christ’s life what appropriate Christian behavior is. Our age doesn’t matter; we have much to learn! The process of constant growing and changing takes a lifetime. Sometimes our “adulthood” can get caught up with us though. We presume to have earned the “right” to do and say whatever we please, which can promote an insensitive attitude, demonstrating little regard for those around us and discounting the impact our behavior has on them. The one most harmed is us, for a callous attitude creates a painful gap in any relationship, and especially wounds our relationship with God.
If an elephant never forgets, then consider any stumbling block like an elephant would, and remember that what you do each day affects someone. With prayer and reflection on the events of our lives at the end of each day, and with careful observation of how our behavior reflects on others, we can begin to change attitudes and weaknesses. Then, it won't matter who is "watching," we can look forward with hope, that what we do will imitate more Christ-like, loving behavior and less likely be “a stumbling block to the weak.”
Lord, help us to think before we act, so that our lives may reflect Your loving heart.
Copyright© 2013 Kathleen A. Matson
Be careful however, that the exercise of your rights does not
become a stumbling block to the weak. I Corinthians 8:9
We have heard countless times in life, “You never know who is watching!” As the years go by I understand that statement even more. Have you ever received a compliment about something done or said that was observed when you were unaware of being scrutinized? As much as positive reinforcements are heartening, on the other hand, how many times have we been observed acting in a manner not reflecting the love Christ expects of us? How many times have we felt we had the right to act without consideration of another person, improperly thinking that our impatience, insensitivity or selfishness was justified? Worse yet, how many times have our actions been the cause of somebody changing their attitude about the relevance of behaving with thoughtfulness and caring? Without a doubt, what we carry in our hearts is revealed one way or another and the atmosphere we surround ourselves with, affects us. It is sobering to think about. Like an elephant in a room, (How I love elephants!) indifference gets in our way, enormously! But sometimes it seems, we are unable to get past this stumbling block because we just cannot see beyond what’s in front of us.
How like little children we can be! The roller coaster ride we live while we are learning is easy to see in observing little ones in a playgroup. Amidst all the activity certain age-appropriate behaviors really stand out. There is one little one having a typical two-year-old temper tantrum setting the others off to tears in a domino effect; then there is the grabby little one not yet capable of sharing, in the middle of a tug-of-war, creating heartache in an uncomprehending little buddy; then again there in the opposite corner is one who is helping out a little friend, quietly sharing their playthings, unintentionally bringing a gentle cooperativeness to their time together. All these behaviors and more are played out multiple times in a very short span by each child. With guidance from their parents and educators, slow steady acceptable social development is worked on. It is a process. They are learning. So still are we.
We are God’s children. He has taught us in His Word and in Christ’s life what appropriate Christian behavior is. Our age doesn’t matter; we have much to learn! The process of constant growing and changing takes a lifetime. Sometimes our “adulthood” can get caught up with us though. We presume to have earned the “right” to do and say whatever we please, which can promote an insensitive attitude, demonstrating little regard for those around us and discounting the impact our behavior has on them. The one most harmed is us, for a callous attitude creates a painful gap in any relationship, and especially wounds our relationship with God.
If an elephant never forgets, then consider any stumbling block like an elephant would, and remember that what you do each day affects someone. With prayer and reflection on the events of our lives at the end of each day, and with careful observation of how our behavior reflects on others, we can begin to change attitudes and weaknesses. Then, it won't matter who is "watching," we can look forward with hope, that what we do will imitate more Christ-like, loving behavior and less likely be “a stumbling block to the weak.”
Lord, help us to think before we act, so that our lives may reflect Your loving heart.
Copyright© 2013 Kathleen A. Matson