Just the other day the brother interrogated the visitor in the presence of the family.
"So, are you a devoted Christian?"
There was an awkward silence as the visitor carefully examined his words searching for a tactful answer.
"Because I know that none in this family is. All of them are hypocrites."
Now clearly the visitor looked rattled from his seat.
He taunted, "Isn't it true? Hypocrites."
Upon hearing the harsh comment, the defense wall bolted up from the depths of her brain and the mind started conjuring strings of words ready to shoot in retaliation. But she kept silent. Letting the waves of desolation and despondence hit her as she hung her head low in surrender. Taking quick and shallow breaths, she muttered an apology to the God she so revered. She admitted. She had fallen short, immensely.
Loving God was hard. Showing this love to people in inadequacy was even harder. The inner circuitry of a fallen mankind is a force to be reckoned with. It creeps up to one in silence, hiding in the dark corners of the suppressed self and takes over at the most unassuming moments. It reverts a child of God back into a worldly creature consumed by the darkness of the devil, unrecognisable in the eyes of God. This self who is detestable and contemptible to outsiders as they take every opportune moment to cast stones of judgement. Sadly, this day, her brother has become an outsider, to her and the family within.
"God is love."
She reminded herself. She took comfort in the knowledge that regardless of how undeserving she was perceived and had fallen short, as a Christian, God loves her. God knows her weaknesses and her strengths. God knows the desires of her pure untainted heart. God knows how much she tries. He knows the boundless love that she can offer and the potential of a daughter who can shine brightly like the brilliant star of David in the darkest December skies as she walks closer in His ways. God knows.
With the heart thumping hard and blood coursing through her veins, she retained her composure, letting out a slight smile of vulnerability and continued eating as the conversation drifted to other unimportant topics. Proverbs 12:18 says rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. It hurt her being judged, especially by those she loved, but in the heat of passion and emotions set ablaze, she did not want to be the sword thrusting destroyer in carelessness. Silence was the best response, for now.
Do you agree with what the sister did? Is that wisdom or the timid spirit of a mouse? How can she change the brother's perception of her and the family? How can she master and show God's love? Is she indeed a hypocrite?
"God is love."
She reminded herself. She took comfort in the knowledge that regardless of how undeserving she was perceived and had fallen short, as a Christian, God loves her. God knows her weaknesses and her strengths. God knows the desires of her pure untainted heart. God knows how much she tries. He knows the boundless love that she can offer and the potential of a daughter who can shine brightly like the brilliant star of David in the darkest December skies as she walks closer in His ways. God knows.
With the heart thumping hard and blood coursing through her veins, she retained her composure, letting out a slight smile of vulnerability and continued eating as the conversation drifted to other unimportant topics. Proverbs 12:18 says rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. It hurt her being judged, especially by those she loved, but in the heat of passion and emotions set ablaze, she did not want to be the sword thrusting destroyer in carelessness. Silence was the best response, for now.
-------
Do you agree with what the sister did? Is that wisdom or the timid spirit of a mouse? How can she change the brother's perception of her and the family? How can she master and show God's love? Is she indeed a hypocrite?
Find out more in the next post.
-------
Psalm 139:23-24
Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!