But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15 NLT
Today I begin a new blog entry entitled Reflections on Today. I recognize that some of my writing category styles are more preferred than others. You can find some of the earlier entries of those blogs by scrolling down the right column and clicking on the category. I will continue to add content to Whispers, Jimbob and others. I was thankful that I felt God give me a new Category to explore entitled Reflections on Today.
God, Today I am…
I am tired of judging others. The speck in my eye irritates me like a little piece of sand at the beach. The thought bothers me tremendously. It starts with a why and quickly moves to a because. Neither of those reasons are helpful to move me beyond judging.
Critical thoughts creep into my head quicker than the speed of light. My filters are way too slow to help me stop the process. Sometimes I even speak aloud the thought that I am contemplating. It makes it worse when others hear how critical I can be by voicing aloud the criticism of others.
I know that Your word tells me to judge not, lest I be judged. Somehow, deep down, I hope that you overlook my faults differently. The grace you give me is different than the grace that I extend to others. More than once, I have secretly thought, “I am bad, but I am not as bad as that person is.” Why do I think I would be free of others judging me?
I want the scales to be different for me. May others judge me for my potential and not for my past record. Yet, I find that I flip those scales for others in my initial evaluation of them. I judge their motives, their actions, and their words. “How could they act that way? Why are they driving so slow or aggressive? All they talk about is themselves.” It is so easy to judge, but what a weight to carry.
So, God, today I am tired of judging. I ask you to forgive me. You alone have the honor to sit in the seat of Judge and you don’t share that privilege with me. Help me to identify logs in my life that You can help me remove. Teach me to bless and curse not. Teach me to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. Help me to see my brothers and sisters from your perspective, always. They represent everything worth dying for, because you love us in that way.
Today I choose to follow and serve You. And that is a good choice to start my day.
Blessings Love y’all