This song has been on my heart, lately.
Ryan and I have always held that it is the small things that have the potential to lead to big problems in our marriage. So, we try to carefully guard our marriage in the little things. I think, though, that this is true of any area of sin. When you see someone do something and think, "How could you DO that? What were you thinking?" I believe the answer is very simple. Look at the small, everyday, insignificant choices in their life, and they will point to the end result.
Guard your thoughts. Guard your mind. "The journey from your mind to your hands is shorter than you're thinking..." And when you sin, "it's the little feet behind you that are sure to follow..." and suffer.
"Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life." Prov. 4:23 (NLT)
Years ago I heard a minister say, instead of thinking "how could YOU do that", the honest response needs to be "But by the grace of God go I". That changes the whole focus. Continue in your awesome marriage! Blessings my sweet friend. Love, Kristie
ReplyDeleteLove this song and its message. Absolutely!
ReplyDeleteKristie - I agree with you. I think people end up in places they never planned by making little compromises or lapses in judgement. How many times has the question been, "How could I do that?"
ReplyDeleteI also wanted to clarify my statement a little further. I wasn't thinking how could YOU? In the sense of what is wrong with you, more "What would lead a person to do that?" I have been reading a lot about extreme violence in young people, and the question I have wondered is, "What would make a person think that those actions are okay?" I guess it would also be a more fair assessment, for this type of situation, that it is not only your own choices that affect you, but also the choices of those around you. I think I am especially sensitive to my responsibilities in teaching my kids about their choices and how they can follow you for the rest of your life. How am I going to teach them to be critical thinkers when it comes to everyday choices? I want them to know that a little here and there can add up to a lot.
However, even seeing a pattern of choices in someone's life does not give us license to judge what is going on in their hearts. We may never know. It also does not make them unforgivable. They can repent just as easily as I can of the sin in my life. I am grateful for the grace of God which brings conviction. But I think when we justify our choices in the face of conviction we can dull our conscience and blind ourselves to the consequences that will follow. My prayer for myself and others is that we will be sensitive to His leading and overcome our prideful tendency to justify and take the opportunity that God is giving us to say, "I'm sorry. Please forgive me. Lead me in your way of righteousness."