Until

I’ve often had to let the Lord into some spaces in my heart I might be less inclined to open to Him. It seems to be our human default to preach to others without our own personal introspection.

There are places where I need to sit and sift myself before the Lord. Ask Him if I’ve been careless with my words. Careless with my behaviors. Careless with my actions. If somehow I’ve been neglectful, indifferent, or callous to another.

Sometimes we dishonor people’s hearts by dishonoring their dreams, making light of their faith, or labeling them before really getting to know them.

What I’ve learned in my own life is that God doesn’t quite mind standing me still for a good…UNTIL.

Until… I go to a person and apologize for a thing that hurt them. Until…I try with all my heart to “make a thing right.” Until… I’m found doing the righteous thing of settling any insecurity I’ve played a part in growing in another person.

One of the biggest, and worst, lessons I’ve learned over my years is to never leave someone to their own imagination for too long. It causes unnecessary suffering. Always bring things into the light of Christ. Otherwise, the enemy will torment a heart in a way that is wicked and cruel. Honesty is still the best policy.

God is pretty set on helping with my heart and He will cease all of my activity UNTIL I surrender it all.

Words matter.

Influence matters.

Motives matter.

People matter.

It makes no difference how long it’s been. If God brings someone to my mind and He highlights a wrong I’ve done, then I might be dead in the water UNTIL…I fully own it and try to correct the damage.

This isn’t God proclaiming judgement. He disciplines those He loves. It’s a parental move that is for us.

One where I learn to honor people better. One where I begin to weigh my words with wisdom. And one where I do what is necessary to mend a breach in a relationship rather than ignoring it.

I’ve found Him pretty serious about how I treat people.

It doesn’t mean we will always agree but we can always agree to disagree. Regardless, I should be found running swiftly to help heal any hearts I had a hand in hurting.

And UNTIL I can walk in a humility that acknowledges the log in my own eye… my purpose will likely stall or come up short of its divine intent. I’m simply not ready for the “more” of God just yet.

Let us each sit and sift before the Lord to see if we’ve left any old or new “thing” undone.

It is a significant character training of the Lord’s to help us handle other hearts in a kind, and Godly, manner.

Because if we do not we, perhaps, have an UNTIL causing us a divine pause.