My Stones
I don’t know about you, but I’m quick to drop my stones.
Usually it’s because I’m embarrassed. Because I got caught.
My judgy attitude was showing and I had a full collection of stones ready to throw.
It’s dirty. It’s ugly. It’s the kind of thing Jesus interrupts.
He says, “OK. Go ahead. Whoever is without sin, throw the first stone.”
So we all drop our stones. We are convicted. Exposed. Revealed as hangmen who love our jobs.
One by one, we walk away.
Humbled.
Put in our place.
Never to pick up our stones again…
Right?
Wrong.
I’ll speak for myself – just like I’m quick to drop my stones, I’m quick to pick them back up again.
And that’s really embarrassing. I hate catching myself judging someone AGAIN, after I did before and got convicted. Like a dog returning to its vomit.
“As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness.” —Proverbs 26.11
I don’t want to be a vomit-eating dog; I don’t want to be a picking my stones back up again Mr. Judgy Pants.
There’s no victory in that.
“Mercy triumphs over judgment.” —James 2.13
Related post: Grace Has Stones
ADD YOUR VOICE: How do you keep yourself from picking your stones back up again?
I am a husband, father, pastor, leader & reader. I love God, love people & love life.
For me..
I really try and always keep fresh (but not focus on) all that God has brought me out of. I was the dirty sinner – the one that even other sinners didn’t want to be around.
God has washed me clean of much and it is not enough for me to just say I am thankful – it’s a lifestyle. I try to live a life that draws the “out-casted of the outcasts” near.. Having a judging and critical spirit doesn’t fit. Definitely not perfect, but trying to be like the one who is!
Thanks! Wonderful post! And timely too.
Ame
Ame, Love your phrase… “drawing the outcasted of the outcast near”. Beautifully written and expressed. Your baby boy is adorable btw!!