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As we pulled into the church parking lot, my husband checked me over for flaws. My husband, Mark, is a fixer. Often, he will notice my collar sticking up or a tag poking out of my dress and he will reach over and fix it. On this particular day he was flattening a hair that had jumped out of place, when he said, “ Honey, you are really getting a lot of gray!” Then with the speed and agility of a professional plate twirler, he rebounded, “ and it’s very becoming!”
The truth is I’m not easily insulted. Certainly, age is insignificant and doesn’t warrant ruffled feathers. I understand my husband and I’m confident in his love and approval. The way to get my indignation squawking is to wrong someone or to kick the legs out from under something that has worth.
Once I was asked to give my testimony to a group of young single mothers. These women had decided against abortion opting instead to carry their babies to term. Our church held a monthly support group for these women. The director of this group is a close personal friend. She knew of my history and felt that I might be able to speak to their need.
I always jump at the chance to share my testimony. Having been drawn to Christ through a personal testimony, I consider giving mine a great honor. I spent long hours praying and planning exactly what I would say. The night that I gave it, I felt moved along by the Spirit. My words were hitting the mark. I sensed it.
When I finished speaking, my friend attempted to smooth over some of the harsh truths that I had revealed about myself. I was insulted! Not because of her words, they were very kind but because she had wronged God and kicked the legs out from under something worthwhile. As it turns out God, still, accomplished his work through the testimony in spite of the glitch and the comments didn’t alter my friendship. We remain good friends.
Remembering the night of the testimony brings to mind another friend who got in the way of God’s purposes. Mark 8:31-33 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter, “Get behind me, Satan!” he said, “You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”
Likely, Peter didn’t like the thought of his friend being treated badly or suffering. My friend didn’t want the ladies at the support group to think badly of me. After all, I was her friend. But God’s work doesn’t tiptoe around our sensibilities especially when a soul is at risk. It is a bad idea many times to take up a cause for another. If you feel led to take up a cause, make sure that it is the cause of Christ.
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