A Willingness to Speak Up

Yesterday I was at church for a gathering of our small groups where we all got together and brought all types of food for a meal. After we ate, some folks shared testimonies how the small groups had impacted their lives. Once the meeting was done and we were cleaned up, we started to pack up and leave. Before I left, I had one of our ladies pull me aside and told me her concerns about a discussion we had in our last small group meeting. We talked it over and I told her I appreciated her willingness to express her thoughts. Most people would have kept tight lipped and just let their thoughts go unexpressed.

In this case, she had a good point that she made. I acknowledged that she was right and that I should not have shared my thoughts the way I did. After I left, I began to think about what she shared and how it could impact others. As I thought it over, I realized that sometimes when someone does feel as though they need to share something that is meant to exhort us we feel offended or get upset. I knew that she was sharing with me because she cared so I willingly accepted her words in the nature they were shared. I hope that I will be willing to listen in the future when someone shares a similar concern. Let's face it. We as humans don't like being corrected or told when we did something wrong. It goes against the old nature. As a supervisor both in the military and in the civilian world I have had to address those under my supervision when they failed to meet standards. If I didn't address their shortcomings then not only did they fail but I did as well. It is a supervisor's task to help those under him or her to know how they are doing and where do they need to improve. God is no different. The difference is that God is always right when He confronts us about our sin and failures. But He does it in love and with the purpose of restoring us and not condemning us because of it. He is still in the business of redeeming and restoring those who are lost. We need to learn to encourage, exhort and rebuke, when necessary, but remember to always do it in love.

I am glad that she spoke to me about what she felt. I know that she is sensitive to the Spirit so I was willing to listen to her. I trust that I too can be sensitive to God's leading if I am led to confront a fellow believer at His direction. It may not always be a fun thing for us to do but if we care about others we will step out in love and in faith to do His will. Just remember the blessings you can bring into that person's life not to mention your own!

Lifetime Warranty?

Today I had to call a company about an issue I was having with one of their products. I called and explained what the issue was and trying to get an answer from them about what we needed to do to correct my problem. I was told the company that produced my equipment was now out of business and parts were difficult to get if they were still available. I was also told that I would have to pay a service call for the warranty. I never had to before but now I do. The lifetime warranty is no longer what it was and it cannot be depended on for anything it once did.

After I got off the phone I realized that I was just slightly upset by what I was told. I thought about the fact that one reason I purchased the product was because the warranty would go with the house should we ever sell it. We figured that no matter what problems we had they would be taken care. I pondered the issue then realized that any warranty is as good as the company behind it and if that company goes out of business then so goes the warranty. Life is full of promises that we have been given that aren't worth anything because of who makes them. We ourselves often make promises that we cannot keep or fulfill. We get burned so to speak and sometimes quite often. But I am grateful that we serve a God that is faithful and knows how to not only make promises but is able to keep them as well. God is not a man that He can lie and go against His nature because He is holy. He loves us and wants the best for each of us. His promises are always kept and right on time as we need them. We don't need to call Him up and argue with Him to keep His promises. He will do what He says He will do. I am thankful that we serve a God like Him. He doesn't change but is the same today, yesterday and tomorrow! We do not need to worry whether or not He will be in business in the future! He will always be there not matter what any man may say. Man will pass but God will remain forever!

I am going to have to fight with the company and I have no idea how it will turn out. I will give it my best shot and see what will happen. But it is always a wonderful thought to know when it comes to our heavenly Father that we know He will take care of every problem we have if we cast it on Him. His Word is His guarantee! What an awesome thought!