Articles
Seeing Myself
One thing I’ve noticed about myself and other people is this: we do pretty much what we want to do. And we justify what we want in any way possible. In fact, we tend to be pretty much like Easu when it comes to what we want to do. That is really dangerous.
Therefore, it seems to me that, when people want to get upset, they can find any reason they want to justify why they are upset. The real reason may be no further than the reflection in the mirror. Others cannot determine for me whether I am faithful to the Lord or even faithful to my team responsibilities. I alone determine that! I determine whether I am going to be happy in a local church. I determine whether I will be active or critical in a local church. I determine whether my worship is acceptable to God or not. No one can do that for me–or hinder me–unless I let them. But when I’m upset, any reason is as good as another.
When I separate myself from my spiritual family I cannot cry, “They changed!” When I choose to involve myself in activities that take me from my team responsibilities, I cannot cry when caring brethren call or ask where I have been. When I want to be more involved in the world than in spiritual things with my brothers and sister in Christ, I cannot take it out on the Lord. When I want to participate in the sinful things of this world, I cannot cry when my spiritual family tries to save me from the fire. But when I want to blame someone for my choice, one thing is as good as another, isn’t it? The real problem is my “want to.”
What is the remedy? First, I must take responsibility for my own choices. Second, I must repent of having lost my spiritual direction. Third, I must throw off the world and get involved. When I am involved, there is less time to throw stones at the faults of others. When I am involved, I see others have problems like I do and that my problems are not really that great. Fourth, if I am having a problem with a brother, I must follow the Biblical pattern. It works! Fifth, I must spend time in meditation with God. When Asaph did that (Psalms 73) he saw himself for what he truly was. He also saw others for what they truly are.
When I begin to regain my spiritual footing, then I can help someone else who is stumbling instead of blaming and walking away.
“It is vain to contend with anything that hath the power of our affections in its disposal; it will prevail at the last.” (John Owen)
