Man! Yesterday was a full day….there’s just something about
coming off a holiday that makes a stressful situation that much more stressful;
this fact is only intensified by the fact that I work with a population of
folks who are disenfranchised and look to others to be empowered, so their lists
and anxieties grow when the caregiver is absent. Then, I’m driving home with “eleventy
nine” other people who just want to get home….I have to say that I attempted to
let the expletives fly but the Holy Spirit didn't allow me to give into my
flesh….I can say it’s not for the lack of trying because I had several
instances where I felt justified…but each time I ended up praying for my
frustration….which leads me to my point of the day.
How can I say I represent Christ when I continue to indulge
in hypocrisy? Note I used the word indulge, I do so because my actions are a
choice! Plain and simple and I can choose to live in conflict or I can choose
to live in peace. Conflict comes when I choose to operate in self-will..
The
apostle Paul summarized self-will and the conflict that ensues in :
Romans 7:15-20 New International
Version (NIV)
15 I do not
understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And
if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As
it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For
I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For
I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For
I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep
on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I
who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
So what am I supposed to do?
Ephesians 4 : Instructions for Christian Living - 17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in
the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of
their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated
from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the
hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given
themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and
they are full of greed.
20 That, however, is
not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were
taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were
taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which
is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the
attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like
God in true righteousness and holiness.
25 Therefore each of
you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are
all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun
go down while you are still angry,27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28
Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing
something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share
with those in need.
29 Do not let any
unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building
others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day
of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and
slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to
one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Please note the fact that it doesn't say…fuss, cuss,
complain, blame or judge…..it’s all about love people
How ya livin’?
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