Measures and Me

"...with the measure you use it will be measured to you."

Jesus' teaching on hypocritically judging other people in Matthew 7 is a frequently quoted passage--it's often over-simplified to, "don't judge," so it may not be accurate to say it's a "well-known" passage. But I've read and heard this passage many times.

The irony is that one of my main thoughts is: "Yeah, those judgmental people better listen up! This passage is for them!"

To which the Spirit of God within me says, "Uhhhh. No. The passage is for you."

If I'm completely honest, the measure I use on other people is really, really, really strict. The measure I use on myself is often far more "lax" than it should be. We're told to examine ourselves to see if we're still in the faith. But I find myself masquerading as a spiritual practitioner who examines other people--almost always finding something to judge or inappropriately speculate about.

I don't want the kind of measure used on me that I use on others. The presence of humility and self-awareness combined with "up-front" grace with others that is freely given--without an examination beforehand--is something I desperately need the Spirit's help to acquire--what else is new.

By God's abundant grace, I can and will grow as a grace-giver to others who will judge--but only as one who has understood how grace has impacted my life and must shape the way I judge: not as a Pharisee but as a sinner saved by grace who is being shown in greater and greater measure what holiness looks like through Christ.

Steps Established

"The heart of man plans his way,but the Lord establishes his steps."

The reality of Proverbs 16:9 hits me again and again. Throughout my undergraduate studies, I continued to face new situations that required a renewed sense of trust in the sovereign God I serve. But trust is a tricky thing. By that I mean...it's really, really hard. My pride and desire to have control always get in the way and prevent me from simply resting in the fact that God establishes my steps.

In three months, I will be heading south to begin studies at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. For the first time in my life, I am moving away from home. I commuted during all four and a half years of college, and I saw my childhood friends just about every week. I've never felt a sustained sense of...lostness. (Unless you count the mornings when I wake up forgetting what day we're in.) I've known nothing but home. I've been comfortable.

Therein lies the problem.

Don't misunderstand me. I am not moving primarily to "get away" and force myself into the unknown. I do sense a call to serve in church ministry of some kind so I believe seminary is the next best step for me. Yet, I am also aware that comfort can be an idol--and often is. When I make decisions (or don't make them) based strictly on whether or not I will remain comfortable, I have raised that feeling on a pedestal it is not worthy of having.

Leaving will be uncomfortable. I am counting on it. I'm not dreading it, but that's probably because it's still three months away. (Ask me, mid-April.) Change has always been uncomfortable for me. But I don't think it would be out of line to say that God has worked a significant portion of my growth through and in the change. For that reason, I eagerly await what lies ahead.

If you would like to stay up-to-date on my experiences "down south," read of the (hard) lessons I'm expecting to learn, and see how worthy our God is through what He does in my life, I invite you to subscribe to See How Worthy for weekly updates.

Soli Deo Gloria