COMMENTS
Today, we’re going to discuss the word
“used”. It’s interesting that the same word
can have so many different connotations.
My last posting discussed how God uses such an unworthy individual as I
to do His work. That’s a wonderfully
positive “use”. The use I’m feeling
today, though, is anything but positive.
NOTES
It’s wonderful to feel used by the One
True God. However, to feel used by
another human being is usually negative and disturbing. Why is that?
To be used by God means that He values me. When I’m used by other people, it’s usually
because they value not me but the benefit they receive from me. That puts a whole different spin on things.
I’m a nice person. I’m not bragging, and I’m not saying I’m
perfect. I’m not saying that I’m never
cranky or inconsiderate. All I’m saying
is that I was raised to be thoughtful and considerate of other people. (Credit my mom and dad for that.) It’s discouraging, though, when someone takes
advantage of that “niceness”, uses it for his/her own benefit, and then has no time for me. Fellowship
and relationship aren’t a part of the mix.
I’m wanted for what I can give not for who I am. They don’t want to spend time with me; they
want the benefits they can derive from knowing me.
So, I’m faced with the decision of how
to handle this. What’s the godly thing
to do? I don’t believe that God has
called me to be a doormat, but His Word tells me over and over to be kind and
to forgive.
I don’t yet have the solution to this
problem, but I have no doubt that He has a way for me to deal with it and
that He will reveal it in His perfect timing.
I’m up very early this morning because I awoke thinking about this and
was unable to go back to sleep. As I was
praying, God showed me the following verse:
“Those
who are treated badly for doing good are happy, because the kingdom of heaven
belongs to them.” (Matthew 5:10 New
Century Version)
You may be more familiar with the
following wording of that verse from the Sermon on the Mount, one of the
Beatitudes:
“Blessed
are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:10 New
International Version)
God gave me the New Century Version (NCV) this
morning because I never would have connected with the NIV. I don’t feel “persecuted”, and I certainly
don’t feel “righteous”. But I do feel
mistreated for doing good. And what is
God’s promise to me? That I am (“am”, not
“will be”) happy. Honestly, I’m not
happy about being mistreated. I’m not
happy that I’m going to have to deal with this situation. But I am overjoyed that I’m a part of the
kingdom of heaven!
“Depend
on the Lord; trust Him, and He will take care of you. Then your goodness will shine like the sun,
and your fairness like the noonday sun.
Wait and trust the Lord.” (Psalm
37:5-7a NCV)
Follow-up Note:
I almost didn’t post this because the
Lord has healed my heart and allowed me to get past the emotions expressed
above. The situation hasn't changed, but I have. He may have me say something, and
He may not. Either is okay with me.
The reason I feel led to post it anyway
is because those feelings were honest.
That was truly the way I felt at the time. You may feel that way about something, as
well. Satan loves to take our thoughts
and feelings and blow them out of proportion.
In his hands, a hill becomes a mountain.
I encourage you to take it to the Lord and allow Him to apply His
healing balm. His “medicine” makes the
boo-boo better!
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