Well This is Awkward

Well This is Awkward

Day 8– August 29, 2018

By Tara Beth Warrick

Awkward moments happen to the best of us. Sometimes we embarrass ourselves and sometimes we are embarrassed of others, or even for others. I don’t always know what to do in awkward moments, especially when they make me really uncomfortable. This has been a season of God imposing a very clear message on my heart: your words, actions, prayers and even thoughts matter during these awkward moments.

Last lay renewal weekend, Phyllis Foy described sheep as animals who murmur. We do that as a human flock too. I find it especially prevalent in a small town. We talk about other folks’ relationships, their jobs, their flaws, and how together we must have it compared to them. We talk a lot ABOUT people instead of TO them. I would like to give my parents a lot of credit as I grew up in a house that was not filled with gossip. I find that my parents were extremely self-disciplined in this area and did not speak ill of others in my presence. There are times when people we care about and respect do not model this self-discipline. It is so easy to do–to let the words slip right out of our mouths in anger, frustration, boredom, etc. It can be really awkward when you encounter words and actions that do not align with Jesus’ example. When I engage in self-reflection, it makes me uncomfortable to think about some of the things I’ve said and done. Does it make you uncomfortable? It should. Phyllis also talked about being a blessing. Sometimes the things that spew out of our mouths, minds and bodies are not a blessing to others. I’ve got some work to do!

The Bible is filled with passages about how to speak about our brothers and sisters. The Bible tells us directly

what to do and we ignore it!  If we have conflict with others, we are to go to them directly.  Proverbs gives us several verses about not being hot-tempered or quarrelsome.  2 Timothy 2:23-24 states, “Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.”

Colossians 3:7-9 states, “You used to walk in these ways in the life you once lived.  But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off you old self with its practices.”

Have you taken off your old self today?  Have you decided on this day that the words you speak and the actions you produce will be Kingdom builders?

In a recent Sunday school lesson, Rick Warren stated, “God DEMANDS fruitfulness, not just faithfulness.”  Ouch. Demands. Expects. Wants. Needs.  Desires us to be fruitful.  What are the fruits of the spirit?

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23.

Unless our words and actions about someone else are in direct attempt to enhance their relationship with Christ or move us personally closer to Christ, we should not say or do them. Period. No gray area. No “small sin” or “sin light”. What we say and do matters, as does HOW we say and do. Let us strive for the self-discipline to achieve this!

Prayer…..Lord, reign us in! Close our lips and purify our hearts!  Help us use what You have given us to grow the Kingdom instead of to divide it!  Amen!