I must care enough for those around me to be the voice of truth- even when truth requires tension.
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Scripture
2 Samuel 19:5-7
“Then Joab went into the house to the king and said, “Today you have humiliated all your men, who have just saved your life and the lives of your sons and daughters and the lives of your wives and concubines. You love those who hate you, and hate those who love you. You have made it clear today that the commanders and their men mean nothing to you. I see that you would be pleased if Absalom were alive today and all of us were dead. Now go out and encourage your men. I swear by the Lord that if you don’t go out, not a man will be left with you by nightfall. This will be worse for you than all the calamities that have come on you from your youth till now.”
Observation
David had paid a terrible price for doing what was necessary and right. Unfortunately, more was needed from him. The kingdom didn’t pause, and the world did not stop turning just because the king was grieving. In fact, David’s grief had now begun to immobilize him to the point that the men on whom he relied were beginning to unravel. This couldn’t have been what David wanted to hear, but it’s what he needed someone to tell him. Joab stepped up to the plate and called him out, because he cared enough to not let David destroy himself.
Application
God has blessed me with valuable relationships. He has blessed me with people to pour into and mentor, people to walk alongside on the journey, and people who are able to pour into me also. Some of the most valuable people he’s blessed me with, are those who care enough about me to speak difficult things, to warn me about the precipice edge that I haven’t yet noticed. These people are not the ones who always agree with me, but rather the ones who love me enough to disagree with a Christlike heart when necessary.
This week, I need to honor the role they play in my life, to keep me growing forward. This week I also need to care enough for those around me, to be the voice of truth even when truth requires tension.
Prayer
God, thank you for your ‘honest love’ – love which loves me where I am, but loves me too much to leave me unchanged. Thank you for those special friends and mentors you’ve placed in my life, who love me enough to confront me when needed. Help me to always love others enough to disagree–with a Christlike heart.
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