2 Samuel 12:7-8 Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! Thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. I gave you your master’s house and your master’s wives into your keeping, and gave you the house of Israel and Judah. And if that had been too little, I also would have given you much more!
We live in a society where we do or say whatever we feel without considering the larger picture. We don’t thoughtfully consider how what we say or do could affect our neighbor because we feel our rights are more important than theirs. We sit behind keyboards and computer screens and do whatever we feel is right in the moment but just because we can doesn’t mean that we should.
David was king of Israel and had access to anything that he needed and wanted. He could change laws to suit his own personal desires. People would go out of their way to assure his happiness. Some would say that—that type of power is dangerous in the hands of one man. David abused his power not once but twice. Fortunately he had someone close to him that was wise enough to help him see his actions were wrong.
Nathan reminded David of his anointing, his deliverance, and blessings. He reminded him that he had a direct line to God to ask for whatever he desired. He even shared that he would make an honest attempt to fulfill his requests, too. In short he was telling him not to forget his purpose.
Much like David I needed a reminder, too. As a blogger and writer it is a serious balancing act of knowing what to write and what needs to stay a kitchen table discussion. When I see things in the news, on someone’s timeline, or have personal conversations I want to respond in writing. I want to abuse my gift for a purpose in which God has not given me permission.
I saw something on someone’s timeline that offended me beyond my normal frustration and disappointment. I wanted to set them straight but my wonderful husband reminded me, like Nathan that just because I can doesn’t mean that I should.
He reminded me that the people that I wanted to respond to didn’t care about the bigger picture. They only cared about having a one way conversation in which only their point was heard. He told me that my pure intentions would not be received and would only add fuel to the fire. I reluctantly conceded.
After that conversation I realized that God had been telling me this message for a while now but I ignored it. Yesterday’s experience and conversation with my husband helped me to understand that I have a responsibility that is bigger than just my own personal desire. It helped me to refocus on what is most important.
My gift is not to be abused or misused to make a point about something that is not a part of my journey. Just because I can doesn’t mean that I should.
Have you had an experience like mine or David’s on your job, at church, at home, …? Leave a comment.
Just Another Day's Journey 