Love…it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 1 Corinthians 13:6 ESV
I went into Walmart to look for a specific type of energy chew for my daughter. I was unsuccessful after 15 minutes of searching and finally relinquished that I would have to ask for help. I went to another section in the sports area. As I rounded the corner, I saw a young man opening a package on a shelf in which he was clearly taking an item out of the package.
I stood there quietly thinking through my options. Should I wait to see if he tries to steal it? Should I let him know that I am watching? Is it even my responsibility to say or do something? The few seconds ticked by slowly. He pulled out a pair of gloves and started walking away from my direction.
He then hung the gloves up on a shelf, he was a Walmart employee. Quite embarrassed for prejudging and having the thoughts that I just had, I asked for his help by showing him a picture of what I was hunting for. He said, “if we have any of these, they will be right here.” He placed his hand on a box and to his surprise said, “Oh, this is it!”
I was very thankful that my hunt was over. I turned to him and said, “I’m sure glad that I asked for YOU to help me. You knew exactly what I needed!” He was very appreciative and gave me a wonderful smile of gratitude as he walked away.
Wrongdoing only has one true standard of measurement, God’s holiness. It was just as wrong for me to judge as it would have been for that young man to steal, both are wrong and fall short of God’s glorious standard. There is much confusion today, as we have changed the values of many actions by calling evil, good and good, evil. We will be very ashamed for the excuses that we will try to use for our thoughts and actions when we will try to justify our wrongdoing when standing in God’s court of judgment. His light will shine through the darkness and the gray areas. Nothing will remain hidden. God, we need your help.
May God prick our conscience so that we may awaken out of our slumber of lukewarmness to sin, starting with our own sin first. May we celebrate actions of truth and making holy and right decisions. May we honor confessions instead of expecting more failure.
May we raise the value of forgiveness as the highest expression of love rather than attributing it to a weak and anemic response. The courage to forgive takes strength. It keeps exercising the heart to move in the direction of truth and love. And that is a good place to live.
I was embarrassed about my thoughts, but I was genuinely happy that my words moved me into gratitude and thankfulness. Even now, I am praying blessings for that young man. I am rejoicing in the truth of his honesty and helpfulness.
Blessings Love y’all