We are the Body…Week Six

Welcome to the sixth week of We Are the Body. We are thrilled you are joining us. This Bible study will be slightly different than our last one in that we won’t have video or a study guide. However, we will a time of Deeper Refinement that will allow you to spend the week digging a little further into each week’s lesson. Please make sure to leave your link, or let us know through the comment section, if you are participating so that we can pray for everyone involved!

Blind Spots

One of the ways that God has shown me my blind spots has been through faithful, godly friends who have loved me enough to tell me the truth. In college, a young man who was godly and whom I admired, told me I was too “outgoing” with guys.

He actually distanced himself from me because of it. That was hurtful. I had a choice. I could respond by saying, “That is just my personality, get over it!” Or, I could see it as something God had allowed in to teach me how to conduct myself with guys.

Before he graduated we talked and he shared with me how he respected me for how I had handled that. Had I not allowed God to teach me through that, I wonder if Brian would have taken a second look at me when he came to attend seminary!

When my daughter was only 3 months old I was spending time with a friend at my apartment, and my husband came home for lunch. I made him lunch and he went back to work. After he left my friend looked at me and said, “May I share something with you? The way that you talk to your husband is wrong!”

I had a choice. I could tell her to mind her own business, or I could see it as something God allowed in to help me learn how to be a godly wife, and set an example for my children. It cut me to the heart. I knew she was right. It was a turning point for me.

Even though I am far from perfect in the way I speak to Brian, I wonder what kind of home my children would be growing up in and what kind of marriage I would have had I not allowed God to use my friend’s words.

I have experienced many times when others have shared in similar ways and although it has not been comfortable I am very grateful for their boldness. My husband has also been used, in more ways than I can express, to point me to God’s ways and keep me on the right path and away from “trends” or wrong mind sets…even within “Christianity.”

LOOK CLOSELY AT GOD’S WORD:

I Corinthians 11:1 “Follow my example, as I follow THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST.”

Another way God has opened my eyes to my own heart has been by observing others. My friend Bonnie used to say, “You can learn something from everyone you come in contact with. You can learn from their godly example, or from their ungodly example!” There have been times I’ve been in a situation and I have heard a mom yell at her child or husband, and on the way home I would feel sick inside. It served as a reminder to me of what I am capable of. When I see how those actions affect others, I pray that God would keep me from doing that!

I remember one example very clearly. At a church dinner after praying for the meal I observed several children race to the front of the buffet line almost knocking people down to be first in line. Then I observed their parents doing just about the same thing! I sensed the Lord teaching me through that situation the importance of teaching my children to serve by waiting and allowing others to go first.

I need to teach them by example as well.

Often times I will be with someone and observe their good example, and God will use it as a challenge to me that I need to grow in that area. I can think of several people in my life right now that God has put a “magnifying glass” over for me to observe them.

LOOK CLOSELY AT GOD’S WORD:

Hebrews 4:12″For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

Most importantly, as I look in the mirror of God’s Word, I am confronted with a standard that is held out for me. I am so thankful for God’s unconditional love, grace, and mercy that He has poured out on me because when I look into the mirror I do see so many “imperfections,” and I am tempted to despair. Thankfully, I sense God continually working in my life and showing me myself. Even though it is hard at times, I don’t ever want to become content with where I am spiritually. I want to be always changing, growing, and being more grounded in truth.

It seems like there are so many ways of thinking that one can get caught up in. I want to make sure that what I follow is grounded in God’s inerrant Word, and that who I am becoming is one who reflects the image of Christ. Not an image or mold that I come up with…or one that our society, or even other Christian’s have dictated for me.

There is a reason they are called “blind spots”.  They are hard to see unless they are pointed out and brought to our attention. What are you doing to keep your blind spots at a minimum?   What has been working for you? What do you need to change?

Psalm 139:23-24 says, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” This week your are going to grab that notebook again. It should be filling up quite nicely by now! Take a moment and write out a prayer to the Father asking him to search your heart and thoughts. Ask him to show you any blind spots that you might have.

If He brings anything to mind, write them down. Mediate on them. Find Scriptures that will help you to break any stronghold or behavior that needs to be changed.

Now, the hard part. This week seek out at least two people in your life that know you fairly well. This could be yours spouse, a good friend, even your child. Ask them if they would take a few days to prayerfully consider a few areas in your life that need to be brought more in line with how the Scriptures say to live your life. Ask them to write down these area and give them to you. (note – make SURE to express to these folks that you will not be upset with what they write down and that even if what they write down is hard for you to hear you will be thankful and not begrudging).

Once you get the lists back from your selected persons, transfer those to your notebook and begin to pray over these areas. Find Scriptures that will help you work towards growth and maturity in these specific blind spots.

You can come back anytime this week and add your link below, or share in the comments, if you choose to share what the Lord has shown you through this.

If you are doing this study with us, please take a moment and add your link so we can pray for you during our 8 weeks together.

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About The Author

Gina has written 11 articles on this blog.

Gina has been married 22 years and is the mother of 2 children. She lives on a college campus where she and her husband live to serve the students that show up at their door. You can find Gina at her blog Chats with An "Old Lady".

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