We all have that one person who has kept us in a spiritual rut. For some it may be a spouse, or a pre-marriage relationship. Others, it’s probably a friend or acquaintance who seems to commandeer their thoughts and emotions, assuaging them with unhealthy wisdom which pushes them to greater depths below the surface God wants them on. For me, it’s been a mixture of everything except of course a spouse. And when I say mixture, I mean several people. Part of being Autistic is not really knowing a person’s intentions below the surface. However, in the past, my intuitiveness has read into the wrong signs and signals time and time again. Bea has reminded me on countless measures that just because a person is giving, doesn’t mean their heart is in the right place.
Take about five minutes to watch this video from Ted Shuttlesworth Jr. on youtube about the 3 Types of People who keep us bogged down, unable to be fruit bearers for Christ.
I can’t believe I only just recently happened upon this guy’s youtube channel. For when this video first published, I was at the beginning of what truly was the longest spiritual rut of my life. (See; the last three years until now) and let me point out that I am so guilty of surrounding myself with containers, complainers, and abstainers. What’s more, I’m guilty of being those three different types myself. But thankfully, we don’t have to continue walking down that avenue. And let me also elaborate that while God wants us to be kind and forgiving to all His children, that is not a decree that we must be their friends. We can love and be kind from a distance.
“Do not be deceived: ‘bad company ruins good morals.’” (1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV)
After the past month and encountering some very revealing truths about some of the people I live close to, I am a first-hand witness to once including a few of these types of people as of very recently. A few weeks ago, one of them explained in a text message that their management job requires too much of their attention and they just don’t have the time to do nice things for others because they’d rather spend their off time to themselves in their own space. And because of events leading me to revelations which proved previous incidents I had suspected to be true, I have stopped asking them for any more help because this was God’s way of proving Bea’s aforementioned wisdom is sound advice.
So friends, think about this today as part of your Thursday Thought and who you might need to love from a distance because they might be keeping you from living out God’s calling in your own life. Since personally doing so, I can see so many things clearer now. When otherwise I was just blinded by some real sticks in the mud. But if there is one thing I’d like everyone who reads this to take away, it’s this:
Time is the only thing we have in limitless supply. What can’t be done one day, we can finish in another. We need to be open to the opportunities God gives us each and every day and be mindful of these green lights to be the light in someone’s dark day. Even if it means we are taking an hour of our own day to gift the fruits of the Spirit, we will have an hour tomorrow to complete whatever it is God required our attention elsewhere for.
Prayer:
Lord, by the sake of your mercy, please enlighten each of us to become more mindful of your green lights. Give us the goodness to evaluate our relationships and determine which ones need love from a distance and which ones we can keep around in our innermost circle. Help us to identify the goodness in everyone, but be pragmatic in the decisions we make going forward each continued day of our lives. We know that you bring people in our life for a reason and a season, but we need to be sure we’re paying attention to your ultimate timeline and realize when those seasons have shifted–for it is not against your will to love from a distance, but ensuring that our hearts remain purely intentional and open to your divine wisdom of knowing what’s best for each of us. We thank you for this day, and we are appreciative of the love you shower upon us. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
The Heart Mechanic 