I Do It For Him
Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteous unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 5:20
Let’s have a moment of truth. I get annoyed, aggravated, irritated, and unmotivated by people and situations at times. Did I say ANNOYED? When I get annoyed, reality is skewed. Even what I know to be true from past experiences and interactions become null and void. We are all human, and all the previously mentioned emotions are a normal part of our nature. My problem, however, is I realize I stay in those moments much longer than I should; which causes a spiraled effect of unfruitful and harmful thoughts.
If left unacknowledged and unchecked that annoyance turns into irritation. That irritation turns into anger. The anger turns into resentment. You see where I’m going with this? The roads of annoyance, irritation, anger, and resentment all lead to the same destination…..Bittertown. A town where nothing grows, no one wants to visit and honestly no one truly wants to live. A place that doesn’t yield peaceable fruit.
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. James 3:17
In those moments, my feelings and emotions transcend my reasons why. The reasons why I may be called to encounter that person or situation can be clouded with my misplaced and unchecked emotions. It’s my heart’s desire to be the hands and feet of Jesus. I know in order to truly allow that to manifest in my life, I must permanently evict myself from Bittertown and reside eternally in Graceland. We often loose the vision of our whys. Why we do what we do and Who we do it for?
In the hustle and bustle of life, we forget the reason behind our actions. The calling behind the confusion. What drives us? What keeps us moving and motivated to continue in the midst adversity? Over the last two weeks God has revealed some truths to me about myself. A few blog posts ago, I spoke on the importance self-awareness and that it is detrimental in making the necessary changes that yields growth and development needed for our destiny and purpose. In my effort to continuously be self-aware, I had to identify reoccurring patterns when interacting with those around me. In doing so, God revealed some principles to me that I believe will also help you remember who you do it for, Jesus.
These key truths and principles have been monumental for me as I process and implement them into application of my everyday life and interaction with others. These principles are helping me, and I pray they will help you remember your Reason why. Our Reason why supersedes our emotions, our feelings, our expectations, our annoyances, our irritations. Our Reason is greater and I believe if we remember that we do it for Him, it will make it an easier process to operate and successfully conquer our inner struggles. Notice I said, our Reason, just one! We do it for Him!
Change the Way You Move
If I be honest, I have been attempting to conquer this principle for a while now. I know this principle, God revealed it to me. It’s not rocket science, but rather simple; change the way you move. Even in its simplicity, I still manage to struggle with implementation. We get upset by the actions and behaviors of others when we know, from past experiences the history of that person and potentially the outcome. We expound precious time, energy and effort allowing our days to be disgruntled, turned upside down, and our spirits to be the breeding ground of negative thoughts patterns and reactions.
Changing the way you move eliminates finger pointing and the infamous phrase, “I did this because they did that.” We are taking ownership of our actions. Changing the way you move, means that you don’t expect people to act a certain way to determine your behavior, but the contrary. You strategically maneuver in such a way where you are no longer affected by their actions or lack thereof, in some cases.
We attach our logic and reason to the behaviors of others. The problem with that is, its all relative. What’s clear to me, may not be so clear to the next person. So what happens is we expect people to share our logic and when they respond in a different manner our emotions take control. We react instead of act. Every action shouldn’t garner a reaction.
Changing the way you move allows you take control of your actions and more importantly, your mind and your peace. Our responses are not predicated on the actions of others, however, we are prepared to move in a different way when, not IF, their actions do not mirror our expectations. Simply put, we need to operate in self-control, which is fruit of the spirit TEMPERANCE.
But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23
Measure of Grace
We’re all familiar with grace. The Bible defines grace as a gift from the Heavenly father given through his son, Jesus Christ. Grace is the undeserved, unsurmountable love that God shows toward us. We often run out of this grace when dealing with others (family, friend, or foe) and our grace runs low with them as we forget that we do it for Him. God doesn’t love us because we get it right all the time, because we make the best decisions or even because we listen to His voice every time He speaks. He loves us despite those things.
Grace is receiving that which you don’t deserve. Even with our interactions with others, someone has given us grace in a situation even though we didn’t deserve it. Those moments when your mouth moves a lot faster than your mind. When you’re not operating with a filter, and what comes up, comes out. We all have had those moments where we pray for the ability to take the words back.
If we remember that we do it for Him, using that same level of grace with others that God so graciously displays with us will be a lot easier. I’m not naïve, I recognize and understand this may not be so easy at first practice. But with consistency, it because our first response, and not our first reaction.
Love People Where They Are
Loving people where they are goes hand and hand with operating with a measure of grace. This removes the expectation and disappointment associated when we attach unrealistic expectations; when we put our hope in man. Man is sure to disappoint you; this is simply what happens.
It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. Psalms 118:8
Don’t misunderstand what I am saying. We should have a standard when dealing with others, whether it be friendships, relationships, even acquaintances, managers, supervisors, etc. For example, I have a standard in which I allow people to speak to me. We will not yell, and we will not be profane, this is a personally preference. Limits are placed to ensure you are in a safe place when interacting with others.
What I am speaking of is the expectation that we put on others to respond in a way in which we deem is correct and/or right. Loving people where they are allows for error; which is needed, because again we are human. When you don’t allow for error when people disappoint us, they fall, and they fall hard. Its hard for them redeem themselves because we are constantly replaying the disappointment, hurt and anger we have attached to that person.
I believe loving people where they are, not only frees the person, but also allows us to walk in that same freedom we’ve allowed for them. It is truly liberating when we love people where they are and love them like Christ. (Believe me, I'm in progressing too.) Remember, We do it for Him!
Prayer
Lord help me to change the way I move, operate with grace and love people where they are. I know this may not always be easy but with you all things are possible! Help me to extend the love you so graciously show to me, to others every day. With you I can conquer and overcome every obstacle that may be before me. Everything I do, I do for you. Lord, help me operate in grace and love others so they feel and see you always, and never me. In Jesus name, Amen.
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do his good pleasure. Philippians 2:13
Editor: Crystal L. Harris