Friendship Archives — Today's Word Is ...

This coming Sunday marks the 4^th anniversary of the death of well-known Tennessee Women’s Basketball Coach Pat Summitt. Her premature death was due to early onset Alzheimer’s Disease. If you recall, I quoted her just recently in a devotion called “Today’s Word Is Team.”

Here is another great quote from Coach Pat Summitt:

“The absolute heart of loyalty is to value those people who tell you the truth, not just those people who tell you what you want to hear. In fact, you should value them most. Because they have paid you the compliment of leveling with you and assuming you can handle it.” – Pat Summitt

If you are going to value those friends who tell you the truth, you will need to value yourself first. And you can do that because God values you first and most.

If you do not accept and value yourself, you will not be able to …

Properly value those who are honest with you,
Handle the truth when it is painful,
Speak the truth to others without flinching,
Care about and value friends enough to speak the truth openly.

The Apostle Paul talks about “speaking the truth in love.” It takes maturity to do that. Some folks think that they should just “tell it like it is,” but end up leaving a trail of wounded people. While others think that their job is to soothe people, to the extent that they don’t “level” with anyone because it might “hurt” them.

Somewhere in the middle of that is “the way.” If someone who cares about you tells you a painful truth, then as Coach Summitt says, they have actually paid you a compliment … they believe in you, that you can hear what is difficult to hear and be able to “handle it.” And not just be able to handle it, but to be inspired by it, challenged to change, to grow, to improve, to succeed. And as Coach Summitt also says, if you can find someone who will treat you that way … both truthful and caring … you should value that person with your loyalty.

“… but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ …” – Apostle Paul (Ephesians 4:15)

As Paul points out, Jesus was the best at doing this … at speaking truth, and at loving others. It should cause us to want to “grow up” to be like Jesus, who is the head of our faith.

Carry this thought with you always … “Speak the truth in love.” You will know you are fulfilling this Scripture when you can do this without unnecessarily hurting others while you love them enough to speak to them the truth they need to hear.

Sometimes people get hurt by the truth. But hurt is not always a bad thing. It is through processing the hurts in life that we grow. They will make you “bitter” or “better” … your choice. But our reaction need not be to blame the person who had the courage to tell us the truth we needed to hear. Rather our response should be to turn to God in humility and ask how we may use this opportunity to grow forward into Him.

Good stuff!

Chaplain Mark

NOTE: The BEMA Podcast is a great Bible Study tool from a Messianic Jewish perspective, which I highly recommend. It is a long-term study which will increase your understanding of the Scriptures in a new and deeper way. You can also get it on your other devices by going to the Google PlayStore or Apple App Store.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

I have my own Murphy’s Law: “You can’t find a flashlight when you need one.”

However, in the world of faith, light is in abundance. God is showing us the way by shining into our world in as many ways as possible. Sometimes we think it is a drawback that he usually gives out his light in such small doses. We wish that we could see much further down the pathway of our lives, but as the above verse points out, God’s Word and his divine presence typically give us just enough light to see our feet and to take the next step. The only way to operate in this manner is by faith.

So, a good way to launch this year’s Christmas journey would be to give thanks for the love and mercies of God, to trust in his faithfulness, and to be willing to take one step at a time, according to how much light he provides.

The reason I said above that he “typically” lights the path in small doses is that there are occasionally circumstances in life where you may need to take a bold and giant step, even a leap. At those moments, God provides whatever extra light is required. Right? Are there some small steps or even bold steps that you need to take?

Remember also, that the light shining before you is freely provided. It is his light, a gift. That light has a source. Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” (John 8:12)

But then again, Jesus also said, “You are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:16), meaning that his light is also reflected through us in various ways and multiplies in new directions. Jesus wants to give you his light because there are certain people whom he specifically wants to reach through you.

God is providing a way for you to see clearly what you are doing. Believe that. And may his light shine in you, through you, upon you, around you, and ahead of you. Not only does this help you to find your way but also assists others to find their way.

If you are going to a attend a Christmas Eve candlelight service, as my wife and I do every year, then at the end of the service you will find yourself standing tall along with those around you and lifting up high your “one little candle,” declaring that “I want my light to count!” It is a solemn and emotional act of courage, commitment, and hope.

Whether you attend such a service or not, take a moment to make a declaration that “I want my one little candle to make a difference in this world!”

Shine On!

Chaplain Mark

Tag: Friendship

Today’s Christmas Word Is … SHINE