We are living in a day when moral codes are being muddled with personal perception, idealisms and cultural opinions. What is right for her is not necessarily right for you. What you feel comfortable doing should not be subjected onto others around you who may feel differently. You have the right to live your life in whatever way you choose, regardless of what others say, because it is your personal business...or so we are told.
In our culture, we can dress how we want, say what we want, date who we want and make our money the way we want, but if anyone opposes us or disagrees with us, we put the "Hater" stamp across their foreheads and reject them for their "intolerance". There is no longer an interest for absolute truth. The individual makes (and therefore changes) the rules, as they see fit. Nothing is set in stone. Everything can be altered, turned around and excused. Husbands can leave wives for someone younger because they choose to. Women can prance around with barely there clothes in order to express themselves or "make a statement". Children sue their parents. People change their genders. Liars create empires. Thieves walk out of courtrooms, unscathed...let the chaos begin!
We are told that there is freedom in doing however you please, but honestly, how well has that worked out for any of us? Truth be told, we need boundaries. We need guidance and instructions on how to live this life because, left to our own devices, we have the tendency to muddle things up. As a college student, I came across many uncomfortable situations where I rejected those who tried to correct me, only to then experience the sting of being rejected by those whom I tried to correct later on down the road. It definitely is a catch 22. In the events of both experiences, love was always the motivator. People who loved me didn't want to see me continue down the path I had chosen because they knew it would end in devastation- which it did; but of course I didn't listen until it was too late. Once I began to walk in obedience and accountability in Christ, it became an urgency for me to want to help others avoid calamities as well.
When you love, it is a natural tendency to harold out warnings in efforts to help; but by doing so, we risk the displeasure of those for whom we love. It can be a very lonely life when we put ourselves in the position to speak truth to people who are only interested in living according to their own perceptions. The problem with perception however, is that it is only one sided. You can only see the situation based on your own awareness and biased notions. What seems like an oasis, could really just be a mirage and what appears to be gold, could really be nothing more than glass in the sand. Many of us know what it's like to be fooled by our own perception and misguided vision. We bear the disappointment of mistakes as the aftermath. But for those who have grown in spiritual maturity- they can see where other's can't and are in the position to lovingly lead us to truth, if we allow them. They can recognize that two eyes are better than one! Sometimes, this guidance occurs in the manner of advice, examples or correction, which is only ever for our good when it lines up with scripture.
Luke 17:3 tells us plainly to provide correction to our brothers and sisters when we see them doing wrong, but celebrate with them when they are doing right. It is our obligation to hold each other accountable and to allow others to take this position in our lives as well. The problem occurs, however when we tend to want to correct everyone else, but insist that we ourselves are always right- finding excuses to justify our own one-sided perceptions and circumstances. This is hypocrisy. It is dangerous and always futile. Ladies, we must learn to love encouragement as well as correction.
Remember, "Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in Him" (Proverbs 30:5 NIV). As we grow closer to the Lord, our hearts desire is to obey Him and trust Him, because we know He is good! This includes listening and learning from those He's placed around us, who are living according to His word. In my own recent experience, I have come across an area of my life where I needed correction and of course, no one wants that. It's easier to excuse it away, or sweep it under the rug. I came up with some pretty good rationalizations and mentally justified my faults, but what good is it to live your life purposefully with one eye closed? Imagine! The opportunities on the right would never be available to us, if we kept our right eye closed and the experiences on the left would pass us by if we never opened our left eye.
All around us, God has placed people who love us and want to guide us into success and purposeful living. We pray for answers, but reject those that He places in our paths who are willing to guide us to those answers. We ask for confirmations, but we turn up our noses at individuals who love us enough to show us our faults. We beg for vision, but we deny the power that comes from the good examples that God places in our paths. The answer is there but who can see clearly with one eye closed? We need the guidance of those around us who can see clearly, through the lenses of scripture and proven
experiences.
Despite what our culture tells us, this life is not all about us. As members of the body of Christ, it is key that we support one another in love, while maintaining biblical standards and holding ourselves and each other accountable in truth. We each have goals and plans that we want to see accomplished, and there is nothing wrong with that. When we align ourselves with mature Believers, we can walk under a covering of continued prayer, support and direction. This life was never meant to be lived alone and isolated within our own efforts. The body needs both eyes to navigate clearly. On our own, we are limited; but when we align ourselves with others for the cause and sake of Christ, there can be no stopping us!
In our lives, lets begin to examine ourselves and look intently into the mindset that we carry: Are we so full of pride that we insist on living life with an "I"m going to do what I want to do" attitude? Do we live as if we are our own masters and in need of no one's help? How has that worked out for us in the past? If you've had success doing your own thing regardless of the consequences, then by all means...keep at it! But I'm confident to say that the majority of us have some emotional, spiritual and even physical scars from trying to live our life wholly based on our own perceptions. When you look over the past few years, was there a situation where you wish you had have listened to that person, or taken some advice more seriously? It's never too late to start living in accountability! In my experience, it is the gate God uses to keep us from the wolves!
I urge you to consider people in your life who could be your accountability partner. Pray and ask the Lord to guide you and usher in people who will love you and hold you up! Choose those who you know are living Godly and uncompromising lives for the Lord. By aligning yourself in obedience alongside with them and trusting God to use His love to guide you, you might start to notice that life is much more beautiful with both eyes wide opened!
Keep your eyes on Jesus!
Katrina McCain, President
