I need a housekeeper!

Ever get so 'into' your day-to-day "plodding" through life that you overlook the needs of others, show yourself insensitive to their plight in life, or are just plain oblivious to the heartache of your neighbors because you are just way too caught up in your own life. Been there, done that! Sometimes our "overlooking" of the other's need is not intentional, but a byproduct of the "busy-ness" of our day that results in us not being very open to seeing what is creating huge pain for another. There are other times, though, when we are quite aware that another is in pain and we simply don't want to invest the time, energy, or "heart" to reach out to them.

Don't run roughshod over the concerns of your brothers and sisters. Their concerns are God's concerns, and he will take care of them. We've warned you about this before. God hasn't invited us into a disorderly, unkempt life but into something holy and beautiful—as beautiful on the inside as the outside. (I Thessalonians 4:6-7)

Don't run roughshod over the concerns of your brothers and sisters." The idea of "running roughshod" is really easily divided into three defining characteristics: 1) Actions or attitudes that inflict pain or suffering - these can be purposeful or unintentional, but nonetheless, by their very expression, they cause the other to experience pain or suffering. 2) Being unjustly overbearing and domineering - the tendency to be "on top", demand one's own way, or to tell someone how to live their life is probably a good descriptor of this type of behavior. 3) Callous inconsideration or harshness - this carries the idea of actions and responses that are simply unkind, meant to hurt, or are just plain rude. The warning we are to receive from this passage is to NOT display these types of behaviors or attitudes because it minimizes the needs of our fellow man and limits the development of strong relationships in which we can find the source of counsel, wisdom, and support we need to face life's challenges.

Why are we given this warning?  God views their concerns as HIS concerns - they aren't just some stranger's concerns. When we minimize them, ignore them, or treat them as though they are not worthy of our attention, we are saying that what God takes very seriously is insignificant to us. Ouch! Let me be the first to admit that I have "run roughshod" over some of the needs of my friends on occasion (I hope it has not been too often). In almost every case, it has been unintentional, but it has made an impression on that individual that takes some time to overcome. By my actions I have damaged the reputation of a caring and loving God.

There are probably a few times each week when we need to ask God to help us "start differently" so that we might "finish differently". I am not referring to a simple 'promise to be better' here - but a genuine commitment to God to "display him" differently in our lives within those relationships. God honors that kind of request. He is open to creating his image in us - perfecting it at every turn - until we finally exhibit consistency in our expression of his love, grace, and care for a hurting world. God wants to take our disorderly, unkempt lives and turn them into something of beauty that reflects him ACCURATELY to those within our immediate influence. His goal is to change us on the inside - thereby, impacting what others see on the outside. So, if we need a little "house cleaning" on the inside, this is the time to allow God to begin that process - righting, ordering, and cleaning up what needs his touch. In so doing, we begin to reflect his image with a clarity that those within our lives soon begin to see as a symbol of hope for their own needs. Just sayin!

Sermon Lessons: Consideration

⁶"You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat."

(Matthew 5:6 - The Message Bible)

⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
   for they will be filled. 

(Matthew 5:6 - NIV)

^12-13Talk and act like a person expecting to be judged by the Rule that sets us free. For if you refuse to act kindly, you can hardly expect to be treated kindly. Kind mercy wins over harsh judgment every time.

(James 2:12-13)

A good appetite for God creates a desire to live in a world where justice is the rule.  There is both a commitment to be just in your dealings and a desire to have others be just in their dealings with you.  Justice requires some mature consideration when decisions are required - there is an evaluation of facts.  In order for us to "act well", we need to understand that without factual accounts of "happenings" we are making assumptions that may be incorrect.

We should be very grateful that God wants first-hand knowledge of our lives instead of a second-hand accounting from someone who may or may not know our real heart toward him.  God considers the intention of our heart, not just the actions of our hands.  He'd be honored if both were in alignment all the time, but he knows that as long as we live, we may have a "disconnect" between what our heart and conscience tell us to do and how we actually respond.

Mom raised me to understand that the "golden rule" was that if I wanted to be treated well, I needed to treat others well.  That meant that I had to "model" what I expected to see from others.  Imagine my disappointment the first time somebody did not respond to me with the consideration I thought I had modeled!  Was the "rule" faulty - no!  The person was!  The rule was good - the intentions of that person's heart may have been, as well.  Yet, what came across as harsh, judgmental, or critical in response to my loving, caring, concern just did not align with what I expected.

Imagine how God feels sometimes when he looks at us!  He sees the intention of our hearts - to love and serve him with our entire being.  Then he sees us interact with that slow driver on the freeway and he knows exactly where the disconnect is!  We "want" to live considerate lives - but actions are harder than intentions!  Thank goodness for God's grace!  No one better exemplifies the grace of God in his life than King David.  He repeatedly failed to honor others, bring honor to God, etc.  Yet...the most awesome words that could ever be spoken by God of any man is that he "had a heart after God".  

Learning to "consider" our actions - seeing if they are aligned with our hearts - is an art.  God knows we won't get it "right" all the time - but that doesn't make the "trying" any less important.  When we align our hearts with his, we are taking the first step to begin to live justly, or by his grace.  When we align our actions with our God-aligned hearts, we are learning to live considerate lives.  When we begin to live by the "rule of grace" instead of the harshness of judgment, we are modeling the heart of God to a hurting world.