Following the Right Guide

Colossians 3:2 “Set your mind on things above, not on the things that are on earth.”

There are certain things that are impossible to do if you follow the wrong guide.

Many years ago I wanted to learn to sew. I bought a pattern, material, and thread and set out to create a real work of art. I fastened the thin paper pattern onto the material, cut around the outline, and pinned the fabric pieces in place. The machine whirred as I stitched along the edges to hold it all together. I was very pleased with my effort . . . until I tried the garment on. Things were all out of whack and the seams didn’t lay right. I wondered what had gone wrong.

Sometime later I took a quilting class where I began to see what my problem had been. It is important to be precise when sewing. Randomly stitching along the edge of the fabric will not make the project turn out the way you expect. It is imperative to measure carefully and stitch with incredible precision, following the guide that is laid out in the pattern. Even the smallest bit of deviation will continue to increase until the whole project is crooked.

Dealing with human relationships also requires a steadfast guide. If we respond according to our natural tendencies, our actions and emotions will quickly get all out of whack, and the end result will not be pleasant. We must set our mind on things above and not on the things of the earth if we want to respond appropriately to the daily circumstances of life.

Jesus Christ is the One Who guides us to put aside anger, malice, slander, and abusive speech. His heavenly example instructs us to relinquish all evil practices, and instead, to speak the truth and respond with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. These qualities allow us to bear with one another and offer forgiveness when wronged just as God has forgiven us.

Following and carefully obeying Christ, our guide, will produce a love that leads to unity. But straying from these qualities will cause problems to grow and emotions to escalate. Though others may not always respond in kind to our selfless attempts at unity, our hearts will be ruled by the peace of Christ knowing that we did things His way.

There are certain things that are impossible to do if you follow the wrong guide. Just as randomly sewing along the edge of a fabric will not result in a garment fit to wear, so following the world’s way of dealing with life’s circumstances will result in relationships that are all out of whack.

A wise person follows Jesus, Who is the right guide!

Love,

Mama