Lakeside Visitor May 2010

Last month I got raw with myself (and you), and want to make this article an update on the situation as well as a continuation of the series on speech. The past month’s revelations gave way to a “Neighbors in the Park” idea and some conversation in the complex during the 7.2 earthquake I enjoyed with my parents in town. Thankfully no one was hurt but my interaction with those who live close by has taken several baby steps forward this past month. Sadly, the day in the park never happened but I am not discouraged or giving up on my attempts to create the kind of relationships that God can use in His timing. What I can do, in the meantime, is make use of the opportunities I’ve been given and align myself with God’s very practical Word to all of us.

This month’s word is from Ephesians 4:29-32 so take a moment to read it. I hope you, like me, are able to feel both the conviction of failure and the elation of success where these verses are concerned. Both are necessary to grow in the humility needed to become more like Christ–to be sure, an upward climb of mixed experiences. But where we cannot perfect the command in our lives, we are not thereby released from its admonition. As the oft-quoted proverb says, we may be the only Jesus some people see. If we take Jesus’ parable of feeding, clothing, and visiting to heart as well, we may miss the opportunity to minister to Christ with the heart of Christ if we do not follow Paul’s instructions here. I am humbled by a scary realization that the God of the universe chooses to meet the need of another hurting heart through me!

I do not know what the coming months will bring with my neighbors, but I do know that I can control my speech with, and attitude toward, them. My bitterness toward their situation will grow unless I focus on loving them as God loves them. I can make stinging comments about them behind closed doors but that kills the face-to-face love I would rather show. Callousness toward them is the same as ignoring them when in their presence but I can choose to be tender-hearted and encourage their potential. Though grace was addressed in February, its practice is never passé. For those forgiven in Christ, the power of forgiveness and grace and a loving spirit should be common knowledge. We grieve God’s Holy Spirit when we do not do all we can to behave as worthy representatives of Christ for God’s glory. Just so we’re clear, we don’t need to sneak under the ‘Approved Behavior’ radar for our salvation, but the evidences of that salvation will become real in our speech and behavior. Till next time, practice being real with a view to personal growth. Give grace to those who hear, whether or not you think they particularly deserve it. After all, God did it for you.