I got offended the other day at church. I know, it’s hard to believe but it’s true. In fact, I could probably step out and say that I have offended others. I often half-jokingly refer to myself as a “repeat offender”. I don’t believe that anyone purposely sets out to offend anyone, by word or deed, thought turned into action, it just happens.
I had left the church 13 years ago, the last time I got offended. When God drew me back, and I was filled with His Spirit I made a promise to Him that nothing or no one would offend me so badly that I would leave again.
And since that day, Satan has worked overtime trying to get me to cancel my agreement.
This last one stung the most.
I was driving to work, tears filling my eyes, thoughts of this person filling my mind in a bad way and I remembered something an elder had told me, “Pray specifically”. So I did. I prayed, “Lord, don’t let this seed of anger and hurt grow.. kill it where it lies”.
Now I’d like to say in the place of the hurt/anger came this overwhelming oasis of love for this person. That did not happen.{yet} But the seed, miraculously died that morning on my way to work, and I knew it was gone and I thanked God for answering my prayer.
I learned a great lesson that day about praying specifically and removing the log from my own eye.
I have not been in this very long but I have to believe that the desire to please God pleases God. And it is my desire to kill all of those seeds that start before they can grow in me; … the seed of anger must die … the seed of gossip must die ….the seed of self-pity must die ….the seed of pride must die. …the seed of contention must die. …the seed of complacency must die. …the seed of a judgemental attitude must die. I know there are more but as I clear out the seeds that don’t belong, I pray that the Spirit of the Lord can find more room to grow in me.