Show, Don't Tell part 4
Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. Right? People can say whatever they want, whether it's true or not, and you don't have to listen. In other words, you are not what people call you... but you are what you answer to. Which is why it's so important to listen to the still, small voice deep inside that is the voice of God telling you the ultimate truth of the universe--that He loves you--with every beat of HIS heart in your chest. When you know the truth you can simply ignore the lie. And when you know the truth you can not only tell it... you can show it. Because love is more than just words. Remember that passage in James chapter 2? Verses 15 and 16 in the NLT: "Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, "Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well"--but then you don't give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?" Well... it doesn't do any good. Where the word of a king is, there is power. That is true. Life and death are in the power of the tongue. Again--true. But love is putting your money where your mouth is. Because love is giving. Seeing a need and meeting it. Living out of your abundance. Look at Luke 3:10-11 (NLT), "The crowds asked, "What should we do?" John replied, "If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry."" Now, notice he DIDN'T say, "Give the shirt off your back and freeze to death." He said, "If you have two... give one." Live out of your abudance. God has blessed you to be a blessing. You don't need a saw to give someone a hand. Boundaries are healthy and important. Know when to say when, stay in your lane, and do what you can do. With the understanding that love is maximum effort. And furthermore with the understanding that once you've done everything you can do... it's either enough, or it's not. And if it's not, shrug your shoulders and move on. Let things be what they are. If someone isn't picking up what you're putting down, you have to be ok with that. You can't force people to accept... anything, really. That's why I won't argue with people. For the most part I won't even tell people anything unless they specifically ask. And even then I first determine whether they really want to know, or whether they just want to attack my opinion and change it to their own. I'm not interested in that. Believe what you want... and let me believe what I want. We can still fellowship. If you want to. We can major on the majors and minor on the minors. We can find common ground. If you want to. Or we can go our separate ways. My point is--as much as it's possible on your end, love people. Even if that means from a distance. Even if that means setting those healthy boundaries. When you refuse to let people use and abuse you... you're showing love. Both to them AND to yourself. If a relationship is unhealthy, it's not rooted and grounded in love. "I love you" doesn't mean "you can abuse me." So do what you can do. And let that be what it is. Show people love. Preach the gospel at all times, and if you have to... use words. But turning the other cheek doesn't mean stand there and let people slap the mess out of you. It means don't retaliate. It means be the bigger person. And sometimes that means simply walking away. Excusing yourself from a bad situation. You can't fix everything or everybody. So get in where you fit in. Don't just tell people you love them... show them. And pour yourself into the people and situation where you can make the biggest impact and the most difference!