Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. Titus 2:2
Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 24-26; Titus 2
Have you ever tried to teach someone older than you something important or correct them when they are wrong? Let me tell you something… that is NOT easy work.
Case in point my stepdad.
My stepdad is pretty awesome. He was the first person to show a genuine interest in what I thought as a child. He used to ask me questions about adult topics and current events and expect me to have an answer. The earliest example of this that I remember was back in 1991. He was driving me to school and we were listening to Public Enemy’s Fear of a Black Planet. At the timeAmerica
My stepdad is pretty awesome. He was the first person to show a genuine interest in what I thought as a child. He used to ask me questions about adult topics and current events and expect me to have an answer. The earliest example of this that I remember was back in 1991. He was driving me to school and we were listening to Public Enemy’s Fear of a Black Planet. At the time
I was blessed to have a parent like him as a child.
But now you know… a brotha has learned some things you know. But oh no, he can’t ever be wrong. Whenever I come home we always end up in some kind of discussion, which is a lot of fun. And recently he was wrong about a fact and I was right.
Awesome! (I must admit, to his credit, that this is pretty rare.)
But you can’t imagine the flaming hoops I had to jump through to prove it. He made me pull out my phone and prove my answer on google! Of course he couldn’t just take my word for it. He needed an independent source and STILL he was reluctant to give me props!
Hahaha.. gotcha that time sir!
I can only imagine how hard it was for Titus to read the words above from Paul’s letter to him. How was he going to go into this church and tell the elders that they were doing wrong? Would they listen to him? Who was he to flex authority like that?
When you are in the right and you know that someone you care about is in the wrong it is an act of love to respectfully correct them and lead them in the right direction. Sometimes this will be someone who looks up to you. Other times it will be one of your elders. Maybe they won’t listen, maybe they will, but at least give them a chance.
If they are wise then they will consider your words eventually, even if at first they resist you.
Love requires stepping out in courage for what is right. In the end they’ll probably respect you for it as long as you come at them with humility and love.
Hello Man of God, I love this post because it represents true leadership. Only a father who wants the best for you will push and press you to be better. This concept takes some work because of the pecking roles, and eventually they do change.
ReplyDeleteClarence you and I are similar in the sense it doesn't take much to excel. This is not always a good thing because we don't always put forth extra effort in certain things that are unappealing or uncomfortable.
Sometimes those individuals God placed in our lives to press us beyond ourselves so that we will dig a little deeper than we wish to do. And its not so much about proving anything to them, but more so, to prove to yourself how much is really in you.
Go forward Man of God and excel in everything that's in your heart. You are a trailblazer who will lead many, meaning its unchartered territory you will go into to create a place for many others. I could say so much more, but that is all for now. :)
Abundant Blessings to you
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ReplyDeleteJeremiah and Titus were instructed by God to inform Kings and elders God's words of which they were required to obey.
ReplyDelete"27 “Then tell them, ‘This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Drink, get drunk and vomit, and fall to rise no more because of the sword I will send among you.’ 28 But if they refuse to take the cup from your hand and drink, tell them, ‘This is what the LORD Almighty says: You must drink it! 29 See, I am beginning to bring disaster on the city that bears my Name, and will you indeed go unpunished? You will not go unpunished, for I am calling down a sword on all who live on the earth, declares the LORD Almighty.’-Jeremiah 25:27-29
Get them to listen and then make them obey. Riiiight.
I have to admit I do the same as your stepdad when provided with unique facts. And the same is done to me when I provide unique facts. I guess none of us like to admit we don't know everything. Ok not guess for me, I don't. And I am the fighter of the facts that will come back and tell you later, "you were right." :-)
I guess God is saying we have an obligation to each other. To our youth AND our elder, we have a responsibility to share/give true and accurate information. No matter if we have to fight with the receiver of the information a bit to do so.
Thankfully though, in most cases our fight will not have to be like that of Jeremiah or Titus. You know, with the weight of the wrath of God on your back and all...wowzers!!
@Nicole I see you homie hinting at all kinds of prophetic wisdom and what not. Shoot me a fb message with the details if you so desire to share. I'd love to hear it!
ReplyDelete@Alegria The stakes sure were high for Jeremiah and Titus but I see that these times are coming again. So few folks really want to hear the truth and be convicted by it. Courage will be required more and more.