Wow! It has been quite some time since my last post. I keep thinking that perhaps wise and godly "strategizing" can change "psycho" families into "whole" families. I keep wanting to write as an expert who has life-changing wisdom to speak. Instead, I remain a simple christian who loves Jesus and simply writes for decades about situations that do not resolve but Scriptures continue to direct me in ways traditional Christianity remains silent.
So... why write? Again, I must state that I share these verses to you as a fellow struggler NOT as an expert. Please consider each post prayerfully and with good, reliable counsel.
Galations 3:17, 9b
"These people are zealous to win you over, but for no good.
What they want is to
-- alienate you from us
-- so you will be zealous for them... Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?"
Thoughts:
After many years of silence, the estrangement battle wages on. The choice is mine: recant and reenter the fold OR continued estrangement with increasing slander. Coming across this verse, I must ask myself these questions:
- What is their purpose in "winning me over": God's glory or personal vindication? ("... zealous to win you over, but for no good...")
- Does my communion with them significant limit my communion with other godly, trustworthy allies and/or those to whom I'm called to serve? ("What they want is to alienate you from us ...")
- Are they calling me back into communion or zealous commitment? ("... so you will be zealous for them...")
- Are there relational strings attached that will enslave me? ("Do you wish to be enslave by them all over again?")
How painful to answer all these negatively but how helpful to have a verse so clear. I pray that as you wrestle with guilt, sorrow, and rage over these questions, that the Lord will give you clarity and rest. May you trust Him to ease the intensely negative feelings and to walk with Him on a less traveled path.
Prayer:
Lord, we do not want to be enslaved. We do not want to be angry or sad or guilty. The path you have for us is confusing and seems, at times, to be directionless. Help us to be be faithful. Give us peace when we do not know where we are going but we know where we should not be going. Help us trust you more and know you more. Remind us that our faithful journey is what you desire ... not a specific destination. You are God. Your plan is good and will be accomplished ... despite us ... despite others. Thank you that we can trust you. Amen.
