Everyone in high school envied Gail. She
was beautiful, had all the boyfriends she wanted, and her parents did not
restrict her freedom. She sat next to me in class and one day handed me a note.
It read, “I am so envious of you and your sister. Your parents discipline you. Mine
do not love me enough to correct me.”
I was puzzled and thought someone
else had written that note, but she told me it was from her. This made a huge
impression on my life. While I do chafe under correction, I’m far more upset if
someone knows I am making a mistake and doesn’t say anything. Love cares enough
to correct.
This is true of God. The Bible says His
love includes correction. If it didn’t, how could I worship Him?
Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. (Revelation 3:19)
Repentance is easier when I know God asks
for a change that is good for me. Besides, He does it with such gentleness and
discretion. God rarely hangs my follies out where everyone can see them. (I can
do that all by myself.) Instead, He approaches me when I am alone and whispers
rather than shouts. I have a sense that He even hugs me when I get that loving
smack that says, “Stop that!”
Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves; therefore despise not the discipline of the Almighty. (Job 5:17)
“Blessed” can mean “well-spoken of”
or “happy” so God uses reprove to improve my reputation and make me happy. No one
likes sin and selfishness. Those whom God corrects are respected. He knows that
removing my sin and changing my ways will also bring me joy and peace. As I grow
in my faith, I know it too. He is not against me but for me. My enemy is sin
and self-centeredness, never God.
I don’t know what happened to Gail. From
rumors, she looked for love in all the wrong places. I hope she found it, but I
know that even the best human love is cannot fulfill our greatest needs. The love
of God does, for it produces peace and changed lives. The affliction of being
corrected is short; the blessings last forever.
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