Sep. 6, 2007 - Trying and Failing
Life is a series of trying new things, and failing before mastery is obtained. It is always easy to sit on the sidelines and point out the faults and errors. The question is, can you do a better job? Are you willing to try? Far too often the critics jeer and discourage those who are laboring in the field. When I say the field, I am referring to the LORD's Work wherever it might be. It takes a big man or big woman to face adversity and adversaries and continue plodding along. Sure they will falter, fail, and want to give up. But even if they give up, they are better than we who sit on the sidelines watching, scrutinizing what is done, how it is done, and why it is all wrong. Pointing out faults is easy, lifting up the fallen--edifying and encouraging the brethren to continue marching on is harder. I fear that so many are destroyers that as time goes by and the LORD tarries, there will be almost no builders left. Among homeschool moms, we are often conscious of the verse that says, Every wise woman buildeth her house, but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands. There is much I could say about that but today I want to address a larger audience. Unfortunately, they probably aren't within a million miles of me. For purposes of this writing let us consider this: Every wise Christian buildeth the church-Believers, but the foolish (proud?) plucketh them down. They might not take rocks and throw them, or beat with bats, whips and chains are out of fashion, but with their tongues they assault the body of Christ, of which they are part. They despise the "toe", or the "nose" bcz they are, so they surmise-the eyes, or the neck-which is more lovely to behold than a nose or toe. But a nose or toe can be beautiful, just as much as a neck or eye may be distorted or deformed. Paul addressed this. Humility is needful amongst us Sisters! If you are as concerned about mistakes and poor quality among the body of Christ, step up to the plate and get involved. can you do it better? then please show those of lesser knowledge the right way. It takes alot of courage and guts to fall and get up, err and apologize..etc. Let us take ti upone ourselves to encourage, uplift, edify and help one another instead of falling for the trick of old slewfoot and cause division. Divide and conquer. We are told not to walk with those who cause division, who walk disorderly. This doesn't mean that we are causing division if our convictions differ, but if we allow ourselves to be prideful in the fact that we believe that our convictions are better than someone elses and we do not let the Holy Spirit work. There are lines that must be drawn, but we have to examine our heart to ensure that we are not lifted up with pride in being right, or more right. I realize I am rambling but I wanted to express this thought..... in recent months we have personally been privy to people who choose to berate another persons ministry and the person leading it. There is no debate as to whether this person could have done things better or "righter", but the fact is he/she is doing a work, is faithful, is wearing him/herself out to be obedient to the LORD. Does his/her wrong doing, prior to or even during the time make the ministry wrong? It surely hinders God's Work, but at least he/she is TRYING. It is better to try and fail than to not try at all.
