dec 4 - Disciplining Children / People are People, not tools.

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(Daily Readings: (Message Translation at www.biblegateway.com)

Job 5 (I read on to Job 6 today...)

Micah 1

Hebrews 11

Daily Discipler (Neil Anderson) : p326 "Disciplining Children" (Malachi 4:5-6)

Memory Verse:

2 Tim 3:16-17

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."

Reflections on Todays Readings (Maybe not all of them...)

I have been a bit inconsistent this week with my blog. Partially because I have been busy (but thats just an excuse) partially because I have been searching for some answers myself, and that takes my attention. Today, I have reflected on the DRP.

DRP: As I read Job 5 this morning, for some reason I read on to the next chapter. Maybe it was because I wanted to see how all of this lamenting turned out. Job's so called friend was telling him how God works, but he was leaving Job with little hope. He started with "Call for help, Job, if you think anyone will answer"..... With friends like these, who needs enemies. How easy is it to get sucked into criticism of others or even God. What is he doing. We can ask all kinds of questions and make some judgements about his goodness, but that isn't what Job does. Listen to his reply. "You pretend to tell me what's wrong with my life, but treat my words of anguish as so much hot air. Are people mere things to you ?" (Job 6:26-27 - The Message)

I think we can become like Job's friends when we are counselling others who are going through a turmoil. We genuinely want to help, but somewhere along the way, we get more concerned about giving "Our Good Answer" that we can sermonise and demean the person going through a trial. I think this is what Job was feeling when he said "Are people mere things to you ?" You are treating my words of anguish as hot air.

If we are to truly help someone through a trial, the first and most important task is simply "Listening" and reflecting back to them that you have heard. And even more importantly, point them to God who does hear. Eliphaz counsel should have been immediately dismissed when he intimated that "God will not answer" Psalm 136:23 describes a far more intimate picture of God than Eliphaz states. It says "God remembered us when we were down. His love never quits" (Message translation)

Here is the challenge for me - don't see people as Things, as Objects, as Tools to use or manipulate, or fill ministry positions or do that important thing I want them to do. Don't see them as opportunities to show "How much I Know that they dont, or How much better I am than them" In reality, they are first and foremost People. People God loves, remembers and helps when they are down...."

I'm Looking Up !!!

Jabin