Archive - September 2012

Today, I turned in my key to Union University as well as to Shelter Insurance. The days following my two weeks notice have been filled with joyous celebrations as well as scattered tears for the relationships I must leave behind. But in the words of my wise husband, “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.” (Sometimes I forget he loves 90’s music because apparently this is a quote from a Semisonic song).

As I did my best to prep my emotional stamina last night, I was reminded of Paul’s words about running a race in such a way that you may win (1 Corinthians 9:24).

My finish line is not at Union right now. It was just a stop along to race route. In fact, my two part-time jobs were not really the race at all. My obedience in walking with Christ is the good race.

When Christ calls us to end a beginning, it’s so that He can start a new beginning in us. And during the transition, we have the opportunity to cling to Christ and trust that He will work all things together for our good and for His glory.

“My friend Jane, bless her heart, wears boy shorts; she refuses to wear dresses or skirts.”

How is it that sentences like the one above get shared during prayer request time? Galations chapter six tells us to “carry one another’s burdens.”  We’ve all got a lot of stuff happening in our lives. We have situations where we need wisdom and guidance as well as moments of praising God for working in our lives. And yet, it’s a constant battle to keep prayer request time free from gossip.
Actually, it’s a war to keep our everyday chit-chat free from gossip.

The tongue is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men who are made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things should not be this way. – James 3:7-10

Since the line between truth and gossip can be tricky to navigate, here are three questions to decide whether or not to share that piece of information you just learned.

1. Is it true? The answer to this question is usually yes. After all, the juiciest gossip is always at least based on truth. Just because something is true, does not mean it is right, or in this case, righteous.
2. Is it kind? This question is harder to answer. Maybe ask yourself, would I say this to her face? Or How will other people knowing this information affect the person it is about? We have all messed up, but not everything needs to be public knowledge.
3. Is it necessary? Our words should not be background noise that go on and on without anyone paying attention to them. Rather, we strive to add valuable insight to conversations without attacking or insulting other people.

If you can honestly answer “yes” to all three questions, then most likely you are safe to share your story. However, if you answered no to even just one question, then you should keep it to yourself. Above all, ask the Holy Spirit to convict you before you even open your mouth.