Have you ever done something out of character? Something that catches everyone off guard and throws an otherwise predictable situation in an entirely different direction. At times it may have unplanned consequences, and others may completely change, no matter how innocent, the way we are perceived by others. I know it creates dueling conflicts in what we expect of ourselves, and what others expect of us, but if we live long enough, we (each of us) will find that we routinely disappoint, becoming something far less than perfect.
However, if the objective is perfectness, as defined by humanity, I do not believe that is a certainty or conclusive. How often have we tried to live a non-offensive life, being sure to hurt no one, often providing soft landings for our words, biting our tongues, swallowing our dignity, ever so attentive to cover our hurts, our sorrow, our bruises, and our woundedness. At some point, after seething, no matter the gravity of our faith, it reaches a breaking point, and another side of our persona comes to surface. It is part of our inherent DNA. Now, for the sake of clarity I am not referring to someone that is that way all day, every day, 24/7. I am referring to us, everyday people of God that are doing their absolute best to represent Christ.
Today’s podcast is titled
That’s Not You
2 Corinthians 5:14
For the love of Christ constraineth us;
What is constrain? It is defined as a verb, meaning it requires active not passive action. Merriam-Webster defines it as:
To force by imposed structure, restriction, or limitation; compress; to clasp tightly; to secure by or as if by bonds; confine; to hold back by or as if by force
Each part of the definition is inclusive of how God constrains us, creating boundaries and limitations, holding us tightly and securely, at times placing us in bonds as a means for protecting us and others, and every so often holding us back, even if it requires force. When we live within the bounds of God’s constraints it means that we know our limits, we know not to skirt too closely to those lines that may be ill defined, it means that we understand the intricate value that He placed upon each of us in His effort to preserve us and redeem us unto Himself.
