As I thought, I asked myself how having a library of articles would help my relationship with that person. I asked myself if I intended to send my bastion of proof to the person in written form. I asked myself if my "burden of proof" would really change the way my loved one thought. Not well. No. No. I answered.
"What would a retinue of articles do for me?" I asked. Justify my cause. Make me feel self-righteous. Make me hold a grudge against the person.
Weighing the pros and cons of my "law library," I made a decision. I closed the document before I pasted in the first link.
The world doesn't need more lawgivers or judges. The world doesn't need more people arguing their cases, especially about things that don't have eternal value. And my loved one certainly doesn't need a whole lot of push-back against their lifestyle choice, especially since it's not really a black-and-white/right-or-wrong issue.
"How will that affect your heart? What a good clarifying question to ask before I cast the next stone. "They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them" Romans 2:15 says (New International Version). God will take care of the law. And about things that aren't God's law? I've got better ways to use my time for the kingdom. Thank you, Spirit, for the reminder.
I'm linking up with Amanda at Running with Spoons for this Thinking Out Loud post.
Very profound and very true that we should use our time to serve God and others best.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this thought today.
I found you on the TOL linkup.
The previous commenter took the words right out of my mouth. "Profound"!
ReplyDeleteI need to start asking myself this question in other arenas of my life as well: "How will this affect my heart?"
Thank you Holy Spirit.