Calvary Love in my
Words
“I used to go to church, then I heard the youth pastor making
of someone in the youth group. I decided
that if a leader did that, there must not be anything to this Christian
thing. I’m not sure anymore that there
is a God.”
“You’ve got your eyes on the wrong
person,” was my response. “You have to
put your eyes on Jesus. Read the book of
John. The other gospels talk about what He
did. John talks about who He is. See what He said about Himself. See what others said about Him. See who He is.”’
I hope it made an impact on that
student. He came back two days later and
said he had already read John and had learned some neat things. But the whole interchange made a different
impact on me. I saw in a new way Jesus’
words in Matthew 12:34-38.
The
mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.
The good man out of his good treasure brings forth what is good: and the
evil man out of his evil treasure brings forth what is evil. And I say to you, that every careless word
that men shall speak, they shall render account for in the day of judgment.
I can say easily that I don’t swear;
I don’t take the name of God in vain; I am usually kind; I am usually careful
with my words. I can justify myself in
many ways, but I suddenly felt exposed. How
often I have thoughtlessly talked to my fellow teachers about a student or what
a student turned in or said or looked like.
How often I have been disrespectful in what I say about a student. Am I trying to make myself look good by
saying, “See what I have to put up with”?
Amy Carmichael, the missionary to
India addressed this in her little book If.
If,
in any way, I belittle those who I am called to serve. . .
if I talk of their weak points in
contrast, perhaps, with what I think of as my stronger points…
if I adopt a superior attitude, forgetting
to consider the wisdom of the voice that asks me, inwardly, “Who made you
different from the one you are criticizing—and what do you have that you have
not been given?. . .
if I can easily discuss the shortcomings
or the sins of any man or woman. . .
if I can speak in an off-handed way,
even of a child’s wrongdoing. . .
then I know nothing of Calvary love.
Oh, Lord! Teach me to love with Calvary love! I am sure that youth director who offended my
student did not understand the harm he had done and I do not mean harm either,
but both of us are wrong.
Change the thought-life in me when I strip
others of dignity. . .or reduce them point by point. . .in order to build me
up. And give me Your voice, to speak
words of value. . . admiration. . .encouragement. . .compassion. . .true
kindness. . . . (You Are my Hiding Place by David
Hazard)
~~Faith Himes Lamb
