Some sermons resonate and some pass over the heads of those who have closed ears, hearts, or full minds.
A recent sermon at Northside Christian Church in Springfield, Missouri, was a fiery testament about judgment. It hit me between my own plank-infused eyes.
I judged my friend for her small betrayal, forgetting about the knife still stuck in her back from years of pain I carelessly tossed into the abyss of unrepentant sins.
I judged my colleague for not caring about my struggles, when I saw in the mirror a careless friend in myself. When did I invest in others what I expect of them?
I judged my child for unapologetic disrespect. Yet I sadly realized he learned this behavior from his mother. From me.
I judged a younger generation for showing signs of gross entitlement. Yet I failed to see the lack of civility and community engagement my generation put forth.
I judged my leaders for laws and statutes infringing upon my beliefs. How seamlessly I ignored the beliefs of others.
I judged myself for past sins long ago forgiven while current sins, struggles, and thorns of my flesh daily persist and continue unchecked.
I blamed my heavenly Father for breaking my heart, believing He could have changed the outcome. Now I know, He didn’t break my heart. He sat with me through the pain. He patiently waited for me to seek His comfort. He stitched up the pieces of my brokenness and made me whole again.
My God never broke my heart. Rather, He used the world’s brokenness to heal my sin, my shame, my unmet expectations, and my pain. He lovingly, protectively, and irrevocably used my splintered, imperfect path to connect a journey straight to Him.
Until we face our demons, we can’t begin to love those souls whom God strategically places on our path for the sole purpose of leading them to Him. Or perhaps, them leading us to a Lord we thought we knew years ago—but have yet to meet personally at the foot of His divine humanness, glorified resurrection, and intimate daily relationship.
Do you need to remove some planks from your eyes?
(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)
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Manndi Maphies DeBoef works at the UMKC School of Pharmacy and as a freelance writer in her spare time. Her greatest passion is being a mom to her two rambunctious, creative, and endearing sons: William, age 10, and Waylan, age 8. Her sons never fail to provide daily entertainment, which inspires many of her writings. She also loves to write about everything from being a single mom and dating after divorce to finding lasting love later in life, overcoming the devastation of miscarriage, and losing a loved one and starting over. Her pieces are lovingly filled with inspiration, encouragement, and always a touch of humor.