thinking on Him

So, Mike's out for the night - working a concert - and I'm here in a mood. Thought I'd blog about it. I am such a lucky girl - for a lot of reasons - but, specifically today, because I have a husband who continues to give me perspective on things and who will patiently teach me things about life. Today I learned about giving up judgment - which in my case looked like trying to "understand" - and giving it to God instead. All of it - the worry, the confusions, the sadness, the madness. Just giving it to Him and understanding that He is the only One who can fix it. It is His job alone to work on growing people and I have no place trying to insert my will into that process. I fall into thinking that I need to do something and it will help. God doesn't need me to do anything; He'll do it, He'll take care of it. I know this is coming off as totally vague - and it is. I'm trying to be respectful of this relationship I'm talking about - some of you know.

I just got to thinking about the job that God has to do with us - this whole business of sanctification. Dang. I know that with me He has really got His work cut out for Him. I'm just this bundle of mess - spirit and flesh all mixed up together. And sometimes it's clear - a lot of times it's clear, the choice to walk in the spirit. And it sure seems clear when I'm looking at other people - I'm quite good at sitting in judgment of whether they're walking in the spirit. But what about those times when I don't even understand that I'm making a choice - just acting without thinking. Or worse, when I choose my flesh. What then? How does God sanctify that? I just think about each person, with their own individual messes and brokenness, and how God so perfectly grows us. It's amazing what He does, how patient He is - talk about longsuffering! It also helps me to understand that sitting in judgment of an other person is totally worthless; God is doing an Amazing thing in all of His children - just amazing - and complicated, I'm sure, and perfect. I'm going to trust that, put my faith in that, love that.

I remember reading this verse with Mike a few months ago and arguing with him - surely it's not saying don't judge - like, ever. Because, isn't it right and appropriate, sometimes, to look at someone and be able to see what's going on, if only to learn from it? And Mike, of course, was like "I think Paul pretty much says 'don't judge'" Many, many months later, I think I'm starting to get it.

Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one's praise will come from God. - 1 Cor. 4:5