It has been brought to our attention that someone with whom we have been dealing has been going behind our backs presenting a mix of facts and innuendo to create a picture that is far from the truth as we see it. And it looks like things may be coming to a head today. This situation has been very painful for us personally because it was someone we counted as a friend and looked to for guidance. It may also mean financial difficulty and other difficulties if students believe things about us that are not true.
As I've prayed for guidance about this matter today, a couple of things have come to mind. The first is that if we are to follow Jesus' example, despite the always "meek and mild" caricature of him, we see him standing up to the scribes and pharisees in no uncertain terms - even telling them they're like white-washed tombs - looking good on the outside, but inside full of dead men's bones and everything unclean (Mathew 23:27). Secondly, I keep hearing the words from Matthew 10:16 in my mind - "be ye therefore wise as serpents and gentle as doves". What does it mean to be wise as a snake? And when should we be standing up for ourselves, and when should we be turning the other cheek?
As I turned to Matthew 10 to read the context of the "wise as serpents" advice, I found myself reading the passage from The Message Bible:
"Stay alert. This is hazardous work I'm assigning you. You're going to be like sheep running through a wolf pack, so don't call attention to yourselves. Be as cunning as a snake, inoffensive as a dove. Don't be naive. Some people will impugn your motives, others will smear your reputation — just because you believe in me. Don't be upset when they haul you before the civil authorities. Without knowing it, they've done you — and me — a favor, given you a platform for preaching the kingdom news! And don't worry about what you'll say or how you'll say it. The right words will be there; the Spirit of your Father will supply the words." (Matthew 10:16-20 - from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)
Today these words seem written just for me. Stay alert, don't call attention to yourselves, be cunning (the word literally means thoughtful and discrete) yet inoffensive, don't be naive. Then I come to the words "some people will impugn your motives, others will smear your reputation". Yep! That has sure happened! Then there's "Don't be upset when they haul you before the civil authorities. Without knowing it, they've done you - and me - a favor". As I read these words, I have to chuckle. No, we haven't been hauled into a civil court, but our names have been hauled before the board of an organization. I think they count as "civil authorities". What a promise this is! No matter the intent, this person has done us, and God, a favor in doing this! As the impact of that sets in, I find myself grinning and I'm starting to see how one can indeed "count it all joy" when they face various trials (James 1:2). And then the final promise, "And don't worry about what you'll say or how you'll say it. The right words will be there; the Spirit of your Father will supply the words." I came to this passage as I was doing just that - worrying about what I'd say & how to say it, and I have to chuckle again. :)
As I read these promises, I find myself laughing and feeling true joy! It's amazing! While I was open to God's guidance as I faced these trials, I really didn't see how it was possible to "count it all joy", but joy is indeed what I'm feeling! What an amazing thing! And what an amazing God!
Father, I am so grateful for your guidance in these matters. I know you are not only guiding me, but the events and people around me. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for your promises and your continued guidance as I walk through the rest of this day.
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This blog is simply a sharing of my "daily bread" - my daily walk with God. If something I've said has touched your heart, or sparked a new thought, I'd love to hear from you.