Not my job
There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another? James 4:12
Have you ever been around people that you felt needed correction? Maybe in their believes or their interpretation of scripture? Maybe it was just in their everyday walk of life? I recently had this experience. I thought that the LORD had brought a certain individual into my life so I could “help” them. It turned out that I was the one that needed help. I could see so plainly areas that they needed to change in their own life that were obvious blind spots to them. I actually tried many times to gently point these areas out. (Even not so gently a time or two) I was beginning to feel some stress over it, so I began to pray about it. I wanted to know the best way to handle the situation and asked God for wisdom to help that individual. I really thought it was the reason this person was in my life. Finally, after praying diligently for some time, the Holy Spirit revealed to me that I don’t need to fix everyone. In fact, It’s not my job to fix people. My job is to love people. (Romans 13:8) Of course! But how was I going to love this person and not be irritated by their words and attitude every time I was around them. The answer was simple. Pray for them. Oh, why didn’t I think of that? It worked almost immediately. I began to pray for them. I started by praying that I wouldn’t be irritated with them and that they would be in step with God’s plan for their life. I prayed that I would love them as a Christian and encourage them in their walk with the LORD. It was pretty much miraculous the change that happened in my heart. On top of it all I actually felt free. Even if they did say something that used to rub me the wrong way (unknowingly) It didn’t bother me anymore. I didn’t feel like I needed to make them see where they were wrong, and I just felt like God would take care of it.
Today’s verse talks about judging one another. It is not what God wants us to do. He didn’t make us to be the judge of each other, He made us to be family with other believers. Our only job now is to love each other, encourage one another and pray for each other. God is working on them and showing them the areas where they need to grow the same way He is working on me. To think that I have arrived or no longer need to grow would be asinine! We all need to grow because none are perfect and if we are not growing, we should take time to look at where we are missing it.
Today I want to encourage you not to be a judge of others. Recognize that we all have room to grow and we are here to help one another not correct each other. We walk through this life with other believers to encourage and pray for each other not to fall into the traps of the world. God will point out where we need to grow. It is up to us as individuals to listen to what He is saying. So, the next time you find yourself criticizing some one else for the way they are doing something, recognize that you are the only one that you can change and pray for them instead!
Today’s scripture reading: James 4:11-12
The Daily Dose 