No (Wo)Man is an Island

Tenth Avenue Nation has a song titled “No Man is an Island” when I hear it on the radio I see snippet’s of my life as if I’m looking through a viewfinder or watching a slide show. Seeing single moments in time, frame by frame. Life often seems so much clearer when viewed in hindsight with the advantages of time, experience and maturity. One important thing to remember when looking back, do so with mercy and grace most especially because with years gone by one learns bits of wisdom along the way. I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “if only I knew then, what I know now…” I know I have used this saying more than once in my life, but truly the statement holds no truths, we know now because of experiences, time and maturity. The truth for me is my life experiences; the good and the bad, because they have allowed me to learn life lessons and hopefully gained some wisdom along the way. Some of these life lessons took longer to learn than others and some I’m still trying to learn and understand. It can become easy to pass judgment on others when see mistakes others make that we have already experienced and learned from, but this is a dangerous, slippery slope to traverse and one that puffs up our egos and pridefulness.  It is often easier to see the faults in those around us, before we recognize our own due to our pride and conceit. Not one single human being is without sin, God’s Word is very clear that we are not to be a “stumbling block” to others and that God is the one and only true judge. 1 Corinthians 8:9 “Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak.” Romans 14:13 “Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.” Psalm 75:7 “It is God who judges: He brings one down, He exalts another.” He alone knows our hearts, our minds, our actions and our words. We are to help one another, encourage each other and to seek God’s Will. God calls us to be His hands and feet in this world, to show compassion and share His love. Be kind to yourself, seek God and share all with God. He delights in His children. Psalm 149:4 “For the Lord takes delight in his people; He crowns the humble with victory.”

~Peace Be With You~