Love you all, praying for you.
I just love God’s Word – it gives you the framework for a successful life. It gives you measures and milestones that you can fully trust, that have been true for centuries since the beginning of time. Wisdom for success in life, health, money, and relationships. His Word is the measure by which you can discern anything said. It goes deep, even to the intent of the heart. Have you ever been called out? It’s uncomfortable. What we refer to as getting called out – is someone challenges you to your face about a flaw in your character, or a selfish or poor choice that you made. Hopefully they are mature and do it in-person between the two of you, but sometimes it happens in front of others. You get called out - usually for hypocrisy – when your actions don’t match your words, or the values you proport to adhere to. Have you noticed when people get called out – they instantly become defensive? That’s pride being a close companion. They compare themselves with what others do. I’m not as bad as that… Or they even attack the messenger. “Oh yeah, well you’re just a big… poopy head.” Good one… but that’s really beside the point, not the issue here. How do you react – when you’re called out? Are you humble? Sometimes it’s good to just consider. You can buy some time if you need. Sometimes just being silent – will give others the opportunity to rise to your defense… Even if they don’t – even if the messenger is lacking sense, lacking all the facts, timing or decorum. That’s not your responsibility. How will you respond? The other side is – you calling people out. Rule of Thumb: typically not your job. Very rare. If you ever do call someone out. Don’t do it without prayer, and only do what the Holy Spirit tells you, in the way He tells you to. Your mind, and opinion should not be the leader in something like this. You could be wrong. But if the Holy Spirit presses you to say something to someone. It will always be in humility, only after prayer and confirmation of timing, and only with God’s sincere best interest at heart for them, not out of any slight that may have been used against you. God said faithful are the wounds of a friend, pleasant words promote instruction, and a gentle word can break a bone. If God ever wants you to call someone out, rarely will it be confrontational on your part. If you want to win the argument, more than help them – you’re in the wrong. When you are called out – you’ll have to decide what your response will be. Better to think of how you’ll handle it, now, than in the heat of the moment. Do you want to know something encouraging? There’s an entirely different kind of “called out!” You are called out! Your new life in Christ started with it! You have been called out – from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light – the kingdom of the Son of His Love – who is the light of the world. In fact – the church – Ecclesia – means the called out ones. So you are already called out to live differently - with integrity – no veener on top – Granite all the way through. And the best news ever – God doesn’t ‘call you out’ as a confrontation… He called you out as a calling – an anointing – and He gives you power to do it! His Grace is all the power you need. So your actions, and your response are completely different than the world around you. Praying that you won’t go around calling people out, that’s not your job. But if God leads you to call people higher – they might not realize what they’re doing is hurting themselves or others. If God has you do this, then I pray that you will do it in the humility and grace that He gives. And if anyone calls you out, praying that you will be an example in humility, that you won’t conflate the message with the messenger, but that you will repent when it is required, and always be gracious – whether their intent was pure or not. God can use critics to help refine you. Who cares if they care about you or not. God loves you… and truth - whether harsh or gracious – can still be used to grow with. Let the Holy Spirit lead you. Some call outs are not worth worrying about. An undeserved curse doesn’t come to rest. But if there is any truth to criticism you face, the wise humble themselves, they seek God, they seek counsel, and they follow the Holy Spirit, growing in maturity – into the likeness and representation of Jesus. Praying that you will remember that He has called you – that you are called out of the old, and into the new – the life and the good that He has for you! Love you all, dad
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AuthorKelly Kamentz - Jesus follower, husband, father, and friend, helping others surrender time, thoughts, money, and testimony, to fulfill their purpose! Archives
November 2024
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