After the random meeting with the lady who was mean a couple of weeks ago, I felt really bad for the way that I reacted to the situation. Obviously hurting somebody else because they hurt us is not the right decision.
The next day at church, Pete was talking about a lot of good stuff that I can’t recall right now, but I remember him reading parts of Jude to us. Jude 1:22-23 stuck with me. “Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire, to show others mercy mixed with fear – hating even the clothing stained by corrupt flesh” (this last part – the hating part means hating the sin, not the person). I should back up and tell you that in the beginning of this letter, Jude tells us that he was going to talk to us about salvation, but felt compelled to talk to us about our faith that we must maintain and strive for – and the urgency to keep our faith so that we can lead others back to God.
I took a few things away from this – I should be snatching her from the fire instead of throwing her in. And also, the urgency for believers to stay on the path.
Romans 12 and Luke 6:27-36 came up the next day and then two weeks after that incident. I hate it when I mess up, but I know that God is trying to teach me something here. I am going to be obedient and listen to His word and remember my values and the purpose believers have been given. The purpose is to go out and make disciples, and I can do that best if I am attentive to what Jesus wants for me and humble in my words and actions. I want to be a person of peace.
