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CASTING STONES
by Suellen Fry How many times have we cast a stone some ones way? Then; as soon as we found out some one slandered us we stepped back, chest thrust forward in disbelief. I know I have been guilty of that very crime. For are we not to judge others lest they judge us? Are we not supposed to take the log out of our own eye? One of the most difficult things to do as a Christian is to be non-judgmental. To leave church, get in our cars and behave in the same manner in which we behaved in Gods house. Oh how easy it is to smile at the person next to us at church when the choir is singing a holy tune.But try as it may.the real test is when we walk out those holy doors. I can remember dating my friend's brother. How awful I felt when he informed me that a certain woman at the church said something slanderous about me. In fact, I remember feeling a bit jolted. He wouldnt give a name, but somehow that still didnt seem reassuring. That following Sunday when I glided into church, I tried to behave as if I didnt know a thing. But the cold fact remainedI did. I studied every woman's face as I sat in my seat. I wondered if it was the same lady who sat caddy corner to me. Or was it the sister who sat in the left front row near the preacher? Suddenly, I was uncomfortable. The very place I went to every Sunday to feel welcomed and comforted had me feeling uneasy, tainted, and shameful. Dont folks know that gossip and slandering can hurt? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Ive heard this one before. Sticks and stones will break my bones, but names can never hurt me. What cock-a-maney person made this one up? The cold truth? Names hurt. They always did, and they always will. Speaking about someone behind their back can also hurt. Then, I thought; why even go to church,if church folk are going to act like that. Thats when I realized.I was also a stone caster. Was I without sin? Maybe I didnt gossip or slander, but I myself, was a sinner. I, myself, was no better than the woman in the church. As a matter of fact only a couple of months prior hadnt I back sliden from the Lord? While it may be true that I wasnt slandering the woman next to me in church, I too had fell short of the Glory of God. I too had no doubt disappointed my father in heaven. Sowhile I was busy focusing on my hurt and disillusionment, I had forgotten the real reason why I even stepped foot in that same church every Sunday. That reason being, to praise and worship the Lord. You know, it's pretty darn easy to focus on what everyone else is doing wrong. But the point of the matter is this, what are we doing wrong? Are we so busy being church folk that we forget to be the church? Are we so busy pointing fingers that we forget where we have been, or the messes were still in? Its so easy to put on some nice clothes and walk in the front door of God's house looking all snazzy. But get this, can we disrobe from our church garments and still look good? Are we so worried about trying to be like all the other church folk that we forgot the most important question of all? Who does God want us to be? This surely gave me something to gnaw on. I realized that the Lord really doesnt give a hoot about our clothes, or how high we lift our hands in praise. What he really cares about iswhat we do when we leave his house. Are we leaving the church behind? Orare we carrying the church with us, when we walk out those front doors? I believe we are all stone casters. As for myself..guilty as charged. And why do you look at the speck that is in your brothers eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Matthew 7:3 Suellen Fry-Washington was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1957. She now resides in Bradenton, Florida with her and 8 year old son. As an aspiring Christian writer she hopes that her stories will touch someone's heart and perhaps change the direction of someone's life! Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |