Thursday, July 19, 2012

Refusing Offense



"Blessed is he who does not take offense at me." Matthew 11:6


When Jesus acts in unexpected ways our human tendency will be to take offense.....Offense - to scandalize, cause to stumble....we are scandalized and stumble when He either doesn't act as we expect or does act in a way we don't expect.  


I don't want to be this person. I want to continue to dance with Jesus, even through the unexpected ups and downs of my life. I don't want to be quick to be offended - either at leadership, the church, friends or Jesus. I want to quickly spot and uproot offense - and it's cousin - bitterness.  


I've been considering this verse since reading it in PWOC Japan's reading program.....and read a few more quotes I want to capture from, "At His Feet" by Chris Tiegreen. I think these quotes tie in well with my desire to remain dependent on Him to lead in the dance, without offense. 


These are taken from July 16th's reading:

 If Jesus let the disciples avoid the storm, "they would never have known Him as the Master of the wind and waves." 


"When we avoid the dangerous waters we avoid the deliverer.....We were made to know Him and whether we like it or not, some of His characteristics can only be discovered in the deep treacherous waters."


"We can't really know the deliverer unless we need deliverance."


"We can't know our redeemer unless we need redemption." 


"We can't know our refuge unless we experience danger." 


I knew my "memorial stone/word" for the year was Secret Place/Hiding Place/Refuge....and to truly know Him as my refuge, my secret place, I must have need of hiding....I wouldn't trade the lessons of the past months for the comfort and team that I seek or our "plan." I'll keep dancing and trust He is working out the details I can't understand....He's the God of the unexpected as well as the expected.


Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...