Lead The Way
“I could agree with you but then we’d both be wrong.” ~ Harvey Specter
There is something that too many people do nowadays. In order to “keep the peace”, they agree with others even if they know that the others are wrong. They say things like, “It’s not worth the trouble” to try to prove their point. So, they give up. That is not a very wise thing to do because, in doing so, they take away a chance to bring the other person around to what is correct or right or good or just.
Christians, especially, seem to fall into this category. They often become tired of telling others what they believe. They get tired of being ridiculed for their faith and, because of it, they may quit standing up for the faith. They may quit sharing the faith with others. And, before you know it, they may even quit living the faith.
We may not like to think about it; but, there is such a thing as right and wrong, good and bad. We cannot stand by idly and not point that out to others, especially when they are living in a manner that is dangerous to their souls. God has gifted us with our faith and He has asked us to share that faith with others.
If someone has never encountered the Lord and does not know what the faith is all about, that person may not be living appropriately. If we do not teach them about the Lord and inform them about what is right, good, and just, we are culpable for their future error. We may not like to think about that or hear that; however, it does not make it any less true.
We are communal people for a reason. God made us for each other so that, on top of everything else, we could be responsible for one another, guiding one another along the way to holiness. This is a very solemn responsibility.
I think about all of this as the diocese prepares for the ordination of our fifth bishop. I think about the awesome responsibility that the bishops of the Church have. It is not easy to stand up for the faith. It is not easy to tell others that they are wrong and that they are putting their souls in peril. However, they must continue to speak up as they are the voice of God in our world today.
We, too, can be the voice and hands and feet of God if we allow Him to use us. God wants to speak words of comfort and love to His people. He also wants to keep them on the straight and narrow path and leads to Him. Lead the way for others today.
FAITH ACTION: Ask God for the courage to embrace His will and for the ability to lead people away from actions that may turn them from God.