Tuesday, April 30, 2013

By: Rachelle Hitt Bilbo

Out with The Bathwater

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

 As a teen, when dealing with a difficult situation with another individual, I often went to my youth pastor. Her advice was always consistent in an effort to bring peace to the situation. She would say, "Now, you don't throw the baby out with the bathwater."

What does this mean exactly? She was telling me to have mercy on those who have brought offense. So often, when we are offended or when we don't see the immediate change we desire in someone, we tend to throw out the good with the bad...the baby with the bathwater.

However, God has placed people in our lives to help nurture and to help develop into the person He has called them to be.

Sometimes, spiritually, these people may be like babies. Paul talks about this in 1 Corinthians 3. He explains that he is giving the church milk because they are like "babies" not ready for meat.

We are a generation that wants results FAST. Sadly, we bring this concept over into our relationships, and if we don't see the desired results quick enough, we figure that person is simply "hopeless" and we give up.

Babies takes time to develop, and ALL babies develop and progress at different speeds. The greatness that God has for His children also takes time to develop and can't be compared to the development and successes of another.

Mercy is so important to God that He declares in James 2:13 "...judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment."

We will be judged by the level of mercy we show others. Surely that does not mean that we do not stand for holiness. However, it does mean that we don't give up on our brothers and sisters.

I challenge you today to evaluate the relationships you have with those God has put in your life to mentor. Are you forcing something on them too quickly? Have you given up on them because you didn't see the progress in the timing you expected? Have you allowed offense to cause you to "throw them out?" If your answer is "yes" to any of these questions, perhaps it's time to reach out to that person again. Remember, God didn't give up on you.

Dear Lord, give me wisdom in all of my relationships. Show me how to reach those in my life that seem like they are so far from You.

I thank You, my Jesus, for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life.