Chastisements

          One of the reasons I think my generation does not really know Jesus is because we were given a fluffy, feel-good character to call upon whenever we wanted something.  There was a lot of, "Jesus loves you.  He died for you.  He wants you to be happy."  So, we went to church for the fluff of feeling good about ourselves and hoping to get whatever we wanted in return.  My parents' generation, in my opinion, went to church because of the fear of Hell that was instilled in them if they didn't go.  There must be a holy in-between that the Holy Spirit is guiding us to so that we can know, love and serve the real Jesus.

          Jesus calls us friends.  If we ask a friend to tell us the truth regarding something about ourself, he or she will usually tell us the truth as they see it.  A lot of times, however, friends will tell us what it is we want to hear because they don't want to hurt our feelings.  Things like, "It's not your fault. Your husband is a jerk."   The only true friend we have who sees the real truth about us, is Jesus.  He is God and He is privy to everything about us and life.

          The truth of who we are is revealed in our relationship with our spouse.  Whenever my husband would drive me crazy, I'd always look to Jesus for consolation.  What I always got first, and still do, is chastisement!   To give you an example, recently during dinner, my husband was going on and on about politics, as he often does these days.  In my mind, I was calling upon God to make it stop.  Immediately, my thoughts changed to the truth that only God could see.  He made men to be the protector of families and Bob is responding to the impending dangers of family life in our current political arena.  I knew that thought had to come from God because whenever I think bad about someone, especially my husband, He always chastises ME.  I think that it can't always be ME, but it is!!

          If we look to Jesus as our very best friend to tell us the truth, He will.  It will never be about the other person, but will always be about ourself.  That's how much He loves us.  He desires for us to become His image, because that is how we were created to be.  God is all good, all loving, all merciful.  I have a very long way to go, but I know that once I become all kind, loving, and merciful to my spouse, the truth about me will be revealed; that I was made in the image and likeness of God!  If I can be Jesus to my spouse, who is the one that I am with the most and criticize the most, I can be Jesus out in the world for sure.

         Spending time with Jesus in church and in His Word, keeps our friendship close and beautiful.  I love being at church and in prayer.  Looking to Jesus as our very best friend to help us become the best we can be will result in husbands and wives becoming very best friends too.  Happy Chastisements!!  Amen!!!

"I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing.  I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father." (John 15:15)

 "Happy is the man whom God reproves!  The Almighty's chastening do not reject."  (Job 5:17)
 

"Those whom I love, I reprove and chasten; so be zealous and repent.  Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.  He who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I myself conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."  (Revelation 3:19-22)