Shedding a Little Light
"’You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no evil to the neighbor; hence, love is the fulfillment of the law.” Romans 13: 9-19
“Jesus said to his disciples: ‘If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother.’” Matthew 18: 15
Criticism is never easy to take. We do not like to be wrong or to be caught doing something or saying something that isn’t right. Giving criticism is often just as tricky. The spirit we have when we deliver corrections must be well thought out. When correction is given thoughtfully and in a spirit of love, it is easier for the one being corrected to keep an open mind and receive the wisdom being offered. Public shaming or a harsh tone of voice can shut someone down and when that happens, they cannot listen and they cannot reflect on how to change their behavior if that is what is necessary.
Do we approach people with love when offering correction? Do we consider whether it is our place to offer that correction? Do we expect immediate change and apologies? Or do we give time for the person to process our words?
When receiving corrections do we jump to a defensive position? Do we stay open to the advice or corrections being given? Do we take the time to assess our actions or speech to see if we need to make changes? Do we accept other’s words with love? Or do we shut down?
We are all on the road to wholeness and perfection and none of us is done until we stand before God. Are you willing to listen and change?
Let us make sure we do everything in word or in action from a place of love and…
Keep Living in the Light!