Saturday, September 29, 2012

Mind Your Own Business

Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. -- Romans 14:4

Sometimes you just have to laugh. Otherwise you’d be pulling your hair out or screaming in frustration. Some folks are just going to be who they are and there’s nothing you can do about it.

Everything has been going smoothly. We’re delivering food to a couple who is sick and in need of help. We’ve organized different things throughout this ministry. It’s all going well. I’m thankful. I’ve had my own medical issues this week and really haven’t felt like dealing with anyone else’s.

One woman has been a busy body. She’s determined to get involved in the care of someone else, not because she’s related or a close friend. And not because anyone has asked for her help. But because I guess none of us are doing things to her satisfaction.

Instead of calling the person who is organizing things, she has insisted on calling me. I guess she’s gotten a little upset because I haven’t been available. And the spouse of the woman who is sick is just not cooperating with her efforts to get his wife to church.

Which is ridiculous. Because this dear woman is too sick for anything, but especially a church filled with people and the germs they carry. Anyone familiar with her illness knows this. None of that stopped this woman from trying to force it to happen anyway. Just one more thing her poor husband had to deal with, which is something we’ve really tried to avoid.

We’d asked folks to only work through me or the person coordinating the efforts. We want to spare the family a lot of unnecessary phone calls and aggravation they really don’t need right now. But some folks can’t seem to stop themselves.

The reason I try to keep a sense of humor is because this person called me several weeks ago and I asked her if she’d like to be involved. Would she consider taking food, for example. Nope. Not her. She doesn’t want to be involved in ministry. She just wants to run the show and criticize those who are actively taking part.

It’s always easy to see a better way of doing things when you aren’t the one doing it. And it’s always easy to judge from the outside what’s going on that we can’t see or understand. It’s not so easy to be a worker bee when asked, and let God get all the glory for whatever help is given.

So if you’re not actively involved in a situation, keep your mouth shut. If you’re not willing to contribute, don’t criticize those who are. And if you’re not part of the family or a close friend, don’t tell them what needs to be done and how. It’s none of your business and, honestly, you don’t have a clue.

Monday, October 24, 2011

Be Very Careful When You Judge

So why do you condemn another Christian? Why do you look down on another Christian? Remember, each of us will stand personally before the judgment seat of God.

-- Romans 14:10

The comment was meant to be a cutting putdown. Her nose was elevated high and she was passing judgment on what she believed was an inappropriate sign in front of a church. I thought it was hilarious. So did a wonderful pastor I know (not associated with that particular church) and countless other Christian friends.

My initial reaction was anger. I know. Another sin. But I really disliked her attitude that somehow God doesn’t have a sense of humor. I don’t believe we should always have to bow down in seriousness before God. It doesn’t mean we don’t love and respect God. It means we do love and respect our Creator. He knows us. He knows our hearts. And He takes great joy in us.

That kind of attitude really turns people away from Jesus. Who wants to worship and serve a God who never laughs? Who wants to bow down before a God who is all dictatorial and lacks compassion? No one. So aren’t we truly blessed that God is kind and loving, compassionate and caring. He sees us -- flaws and all -- and loves us. How awesome is that?

Maybe my attitude it born of a relationship with God that is deeper than anything I’ve ever experienced with another human being. Yes, I thank Him for the many blessings He bestows on me. And, yes, I am very aware of His power and His position in all creation. But I also recognize Him as Father. He is my Yahweh.

So I talk to Him about the brilliant sunsets He creates. I tell Him my deepest secrets. I shares jokes with Him. I give Him my inexpert opinion and listen -- I think -- to Him laugh. He picks me up when I stumble and fall. He cheers me on and sometimes He’s the only One who believes I really can do what He’s called me to do. He gets on to me when I take a wrong turn. He forgives me when I mess up -- again.

He is everything to me so I get quite offended if someone dares to say that I or my friends are somehow not showing the appropriate respect to our God. I could get ugly. I could point out sins and flaws in this person. She is no better than the rest of us, no matter how she may want to appear. But I refuse to stoop that low. That’s getting in to God’s territory and He surely doesn’t need my nose where it doesn’t belong.

I’ll just say that the times when I’ve noticed others being particularly ugly to fellow Christians is when those being ugly were struggling with dark sin in their own lives. It’s easier to lash out than to look inside. I’ve been there. It’s not a happy place to be.

So don’t be so quick to look down on other Christians as being less than you think they should be. If they’re doing wrong, God will handle it. And if you’re doing wrong, He’ll handle that too.

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Be Sensitive To Others

"It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall." -- Romans 14:21

Alcohol is a big deal in the Deep South. There are those who argue vehemently that the Bible says don't drink. It doesn't say that but you'll never convince them. The other side is just as adamant. They argue that there's nothing wrong with drinking alcohol, especially in moderation.

Another big issue in this part of the country involves food. Lots and lots of food. We do church suppers like nobody else. If the table isn't groaning, something is dreadfully wrong. Desserts will line one long wall. Table after table after table of delicious concoctions. We all get a plate and get started. A taste of this and a taste of that and we're on a sugar high that won't end for a week.

Nobody ever suggests doing away with the dessert table. They'd probably kick you out of the church, and possibly the South, for even suggesting such a thing. We tend to ignore news reports about our obese nation and the health problems all that extra weight causes.

The Bible verse above and others in the same chapter are frequently used by those who oppose alcohol. They insist we shouldn't sell alcohol because some folks have a problem with it. We don't want to encourage drinking or tempt alcoholics. Certaintly, Paul warns against doing anything that would cause someone else to fall.

Where does that leave dessert? Everyone knows someone who is obese. Most of us are overweight. Many people are dealing with weight-related health issues such as diabetes and heart disease. Where are the people intent on protecting others from bad influences? If they're going to condemn alcohol, surely cakes, cookies and pies deserve the same fate.

Wait a minute. I don't hear anything. You mean nobody wants to ban desserts from the church social? Are cookies and cupcakes forever going to tempt us as we move down the grocery store aisles? Remember Paul didn't limit his example to alcohol. He included meat and anything else that might cause your brother to fall.

I realize that to some people dessert and alcohol are nothing alike. Drunks can and do have car wrecks that kill innocent people. Overweight people usually destroy their own health. They also hurt their families and take a huge chunk out of all our pocketbooks. They suffer an addiction much like an alcoholic.

Each of us has different weaknesses, just as we have different strengths. We should help those around us as they struggle, whether it is with alcohol, food or anything else. That means don't drink in front of an alcoholic. And don't serve a rich dessert to someone struggling with weight issues. We should be sensitive to those around us even as we exercise our right to partake of something the Bible doesn't ban. Paul gave us sound advice. We should follow it.