God's preferences vs. my preferences

Most of all, let love guide your life, for then the whole church will stay together in perfect harmony. Let the peace of heart that comes from Christ be always present in your hearts and lives, for this is your responsibility and privilege as members of His body. And always be thankful (Colossians 3:14-15).

I’m up way too early this morning. I don’t think it was worries this time. But I’ve been thinking about all the judgment and anger inside of people (myself included). And how so many of us want to tell others what to do and how to do it. And sometimes we aren’t very friendly or gentle in our speech about it either. It just saddens me that we can’t take the time to consider our words and the impact they might have on another. Why such urgency to be right? Why are we so convinced there is only one way – and it is my way? Why do we set the bar “just so” that it leaves others feeling “out” and not willing to participate for fear of not living up to someone’s standards? I ask you – what is really important and really necessary? And what is just your own personal preference? Dare we ask ourselves these questions before we demand “perfection” from someone else? It doesn’t mean we are lowering our standards; it’s about accepting more than one right way. How many molehills do you turn into mountains? Isn’t that an exhausting way to live? Isn’t it the motive and the heart attitude of the other most important? And who knows another’s true intentions? How can we demand certain behaviors of others if we don’t practice them, or if we do, we appear to be crabby, demanding, arrogant people in the process. Who needs that? We need to live with the peace of Christ within us. We need to practice kind and gentle ways. We need to believe God is growing us all up into Christlikeness. And God doesn’t need your help in “straightening” people out. God has His own ideas on what is acceptable. Might surprise you what He would allow. Remember he ate with sinners and tax collectors, touched lepers, and “worked” on Sundays.