“I was scrolling on social media”…Oh my, why does that one comment seem so loaded?
But that is in fact where this story begins.
A while back I came across some posts on a person’s personal page, a person that I have known for years. That I’ve had dinner with, know their spouse, etc. The page was full of posts and comments that spoke to how “those people” are causing destruction and division.
While the post was not directed at me it did target a lot of what I foundationally believe. I felt frustrated and honestly, felt some anger too. My response could have been to post and comment on all the ways I fundamentally disagree and add in a list of scriptures that support where real destruction and divide come from. And let me be totally transparent, I really did lay there thinking of ways to respond. Am I the only one that types messages, texts, and posts, and then deletes them before sending?
One of many reasons I am thankful for the Holy Spirit! That conviction we feel when our flesh wants to go a little wild. As I lay there and rumbled with ways to respond, one scripture, the shortest scripture in the Bible came to mind, John 11:35.
“Jesus wept.”
In that exact moment, I started to weep. Literally. I realized my spirit was grieving for the division, for the lost that believe so many lies, and cling more tightly to the world than the Savior.
It was a moment of conviction and a deep reminder that as Christ-followers we should be weeping for what grieves God.
- We should be paying attention and weeping for what’s happening in the nation we live, pray to see what grieves Him, and praise Him that we still have the freedom to openly worship Jesus.
- We should be weeping for those that have blended Christianity into a dying world instead of boldly standing on the fullness of the Word.
- We should be weeping for and intentionally reaching out to the lost, whether in our families, our places of work, or social media pages; praying for the souls that will be lost if they don’t come to know and believe Jesus.
We’ve become a society of comfortable and convenient “truth” rather than the truth, God’s truth. Oh, how that must grieve the Father! I would encourage each one of us to pause and pray, to ask the Father to help open our eyes and hearts to what grieves Him, and to respond in a way that glorifies Him.
That’s what I did.
As I lay there crying, after my rumbling with possible fleshly responses, I asked the Lord, “how do I respond, what do I say to such ugliness and lies and in a way that shows You?”
The response I heard was, “You don’t. You pray for them and represent Me every time you’re around them.”
I’d like to sound righteous and holy here and say, I immediately agreed and was all “Can do, Lord!” But the truth is I questioned Him. I asked Him if, He was sure. Literally. I discussed the numerous scriptures that could be shared, or even a message of how the enemy is a liar and causes division…and know what I heard? “No.”
Which leads me to the final point…
We need to spend time with the Lord, in His word, and seek His will above all, so as we go about our daily lives and have tendencies to respond in the flesh, we don’t grieve the Holy Spirit of God ourselves.
“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”
Ephesians 4:30
Father, thank you for the Holy Spirit, for the conviction you graciously give when my flesh wants to respond in a way that does not glorify you. Please keep my eyes and heart open to the things that grieve You and guide me in what to say and do, so that the lost are led to You. In Jesus Name. Amen.
This week’s playlist:
Patrick Mayberry – “Holy Spirit Come” (Acoustic) – YouTube
Vertical Worship – Come Holy Spirit – YouTube
Casting Crowns – Start Right Here ((Single Version) [Official Lyric Video]) – YouTube
