God’s thoughts, his will, his love, his judgments are all man’s home. To think his thoughts, to choose his will, to love his loves, to judge his judgments, and thus to know that he is in us, is to be at home.
~George Macdonald (1824-1905)
This is how one should regard us, as slaves of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.
~ paul, The Least of The Apostles, in 1 Corinthians 4
Oh beloved, it is true. We each (each and every one of us) has lessons to learn.
And this writer has, over the years, had the baton of judgement batted out of his hands by the only One with the right to wield such a stick. i lived a life that really exhibited nothing but veiled self-righteousness in the past. It was exceedingly easy for me to see the flaws in others. And while i held onto some sort of “hate the sin, and love the sinner” sop for my conscience, it was really nothing other than an attitude that needed to be out of my life.
And out of my life He did drive it.
He drove me to depths of pain that simply cannot be written with words.
He took things away from me, that my comfort might only come from Him.
He moved people into my life that would have been heretofore exceedingly difficult for me to associate with.
And He taught me to simply Love.
Now, how it is that a man so full of himself, could now be profoundly concerned about the well-being of others, is a mystery beyond profound. That a man full of self-righteousness and angst, could now live simply rightly and at peace is a gift beyond any measure in this world. This writer does, in fact by G_d’s Grace, love people so deeply that it often hurts. He finds himself simply yearning for them to have the Freedom that has set him free. He no longer judges or wants to change people. He simply desires them to allow themselves to experience the change only G_d can wreak upon a man.
And He gives more Grace.
