A Reflection

"Do not judge or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother "Let me take the speck out of your eye", when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." (Matthew 7. 1:5)
I have a confession to make..... I find myself guilty of this everyday of my life, especially with those I claim to love most. The temptation to fall into that realm of judging others on whatever degree is rather strong. There is such a humility to be had when reading this powerful passage. It is here that I truly begin to understand my worth in a genuine sense, and how IMPURE I truly am. You see, we each have our standards that we present the world with, expectations I have for others..but what about with ourselves, what about with me? The realization is profound, and in saying that this passage should be enough to bring any one of us to our knees in full surrender and acknowledge the ways that we have sinned against our God, within ourselves, and towards our brothers and sisters whom we are called to love. I find myself looking in a mirror and seeing reflected ways that I have mistreated, misjudged, and often times exercised pride and egotism. I have failed on many occasions to cling to Christ and the values which I claim to follow. We must not judge but work together for God's greater good. We must first accept ourselves and our own brokenness before we can ever begin to understand another's actions, pains, and deeds. It is in recognizing this that I am able to understand the commitment I must make towards denying my flesh daily. How? How do we avoid judging when we are so hurt? How do we avoid judging when our anger and our emotions get the best of us? How do we not let Satan win, and deny ourselves to the point of being open to receiving the will of God? I truthfully can not answer these questions and battle with them every single day. It is often easy to offer advice and comforting words but today I inwardly glance at this very issue within myself and shamefully recounting the ways that I have failed to honor God and imitate Jesus with my daily deeds. In Jesus' words I am able to see and understand that there is no grounds for me to ever judge another...even in those situations that seem to hurt me or cause me discomfort. I am here reminded that purification is a process, one that is unending, and one that can not be possible without total devotion to Jesus. It is wrong to look at myself and compare my neighbours sin to my own. We are reminded in Scripture that God weighs the heart and judges each of us according to ourselves. I ask myself the question tonight...If Jesus was with me today what would he say about me? How would he feel? If he heard my voice, and the things I chose to verbalize would he be impressed??? How easily I forget that He walks with me daily..that He walks with each of us. Lord I pray tonight that you allow us to turn ourselves away from judgement..give us the gift of self mastery in every sense to help us become true and pure children of You. May our brokenness remind us of our constant need for You in our lives..may You pour Your cleansing spirit inside of us and take away everything that is not of You so that we are able to live the way You have called us too. May we be reminded that perfection is impossible, but the pursuit and will to imitate You is righteous. For the times that we fall..forgive us, and allow us to start anew. And Lord, when we feel that we have grown in faith, and learned all there is to know..may You humble us and allow us to see ourselves clearly so that we forever hunger, thirst, and yearn for You. Lord I accept the discomfort you often allow in my life...it is through this that I am able to turn judgement upon myself and realize that the "plank" in my own eye still remains rather large. Lord stand by me and mend my brokenness, be patient with me in my failings, and ever comforting through my pain. May I give myself wholly unto You so that I am able to reflect what you have done within me to those around me. Lord I know that only through You can all of my wrongs be made right...I come to You open, willing, and committed to do Your will. (C.C.)

"It is well with my soul" (Horatio. G. Spafford)