Blessing or Flattery, You Choose!
Flattery will get you anywhere as the old saying goes. Well it may get you anywhere, but it will not keep you there. We do not need people to flatter us, we need people to bless us. We usually experience blessing as a statement about peace in our lives.
In Exodus 4:18 as Moses seeks release to go back to Egypt, where he committed murder and would be in danger Jethro blessed him by saying: “lech l’shalom.” Literally “Go TO peace.” Moses, of course, succeeds and follows a greater calling.
In 2 Samuel 15:9 King David bids his son Absalom bye with the phrase: “lech b’shalom.” Literally “Go IN peace.” This episode ends with Absalom dying in 2 Samuel 18, against the David’s command.
We often do not get the power of what it means to “go TO peace” rather than “go IN peace.” The difference is that TO is said to people who have a better future and IN is said to those who are on their way to death. TO is spoken as a blessing and IN is spoken as flattery. We need to learn to speak clearly and powerfully with the intent of God if we wish blessing rather than pronouncing a death sentence.
We all need a Jethro, or Jethrine, that can help us see where we really are and clear the haze out of mind so that we can set a course to our potential. Jethro’s come along in a spiritual, emotional and intellectual four wheel drive to pull us out of the mud hole into which we have sank. They do not tell us what we want to hear, but what we need to hear to get us beyond our own limited sight.
The reason we need Jethro’s is that we really are blind to our own issues. To assume that we are spiritually gifted enough to analyze and diagnose the ailments of our spirits is actually arrogance. We have lost the art of true and open direction and guidance because everything is about “ME!” Jethro’s wake us up to the reality that it is NOT about ME, but about everyone.
Jethro’s make us see decisions and directions in wake of how it will impact OTHERS and make us better able to be who we were created to be. We all want promotion, but few want the true responsibility of that promotion. That is true in all areas of life, not just at work. As it is written, “To whom much is given, much is required.” Ascending levels of call and conviction require higher levels of personal sacrifice. Jethro’s remind us that we were created to be doers rather than critics. TO see for a better future for everyone.
Most of us really want to be flattered rather than blessed. We do not realize that we are seeking the benediction of our life when we do that. We would rather hear sweet nothings that to be told we need to go TO peace. This week which will you choose? Life or Death? They are both set before you and God gives you the choice. Choose Life and a true blessing!
In Christ,
Pastor Greg
In Exodus 4:18 as Moses seeks release to go back to Egypt, where he committed murder and would be in danger Jethro blessed him by saying: “lech l’shalom.” Literally “Go TO peace.” Moses, of course, succeeds and follows a greater calling.
In 2 Samuel 15:9 King David bids his son Absalom bye with the phrase: “lech b’shalom.” Literally “Go IN peace.” This episode ends with Absalom dying in 2 Samuel 18, against the David’s command.
We often do not get the power of what it means to “go TO peace” rather than “go IN peace.” The difference is that TO is said to people who have a better future and IN is said to those who are on their way to death. TO is spoken as a blessing and IN is spoken as flattery. We need to learn to speak clearly and powerfully with the intent of God if we wish blessing rather than pronouncing a death sentence.
We all need a Jethro, or Jethrine, that can help us see where we really are and clear the haze out of mind so that we can set a course to our potential. Jethro’s come along in a spiritual, emotional and intellectual four wheel drive to pull us out of the mud hole into which we have sank. They do not tell us what we want to hear, but what we need to hear to get us beyond our own limited sight.
The reason we need Jethro’s is that we really are blind to our own issues. To assume that we are spiritually gifted enough to analyze and diagnose the ailments of our spirits is actually arrogance. We have lost the art of true and open direction and guidance because everything is about “ME!” Jethro’s wake us up to the reality that it is NOT about ME, but about everyone.
Jethro’s make us see decisions and directions in wake of how it will impact OTHERS and make us better able to be who we were created to be. We all want promotion, but few want the true responsibility of that promotion. That is true in all areas of life, not just at work. As it is written, “To whom much is given, much is required.” Ascending levels of call and conviction require higher levels of personal sacrifice. Jethro’s remind us that we were created to be doers rather than critics. TO see for a better future for everyone.
Most of us really want to be flattered rather than blessed. We do not realize that we are seeking the benediction of our life when we do that. We would rather hear sweet nothings that to be told we need to go TO peace. This week which will you choose? Life or Death? They are both set before you and God gives you the choice. Choose Life and a true blessing!
In Christ,
Pastor Greg
posted by Covenant of the Cross at
2:12 PM
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