August 6
Scripture focus: Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day's out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Galatians 6:1-2 (The Message)
My guys are now 18 and 24 years old, way past the age of "all-knowing" – hopefully!
But they've found that remembering that particular stage of development has been helpful. Both our boys have spent time working with children. I've heard them on more than one occasion say, "Yeah, he's at that age where he knows everything. He'll outgrow it."
I've observed how patient they're able to be with young boys sturdily in possession of the knowledge that they know everything and the rest of the world is struggling to keep up.
I think that's what Paul is telling us in this verse.
Scott and Michael are able to empathize with nine-year-old boys. They remember when they, too, needed a little patience thrown in their direction.
Perhaps that's why Jesus remarks in the beatitudes about how lucky we are when we suffer various things like being at the end of our rope, loss or even growing pains. It's not that God is glad when we get freaked out. But Creator God knows that with the appropriate use of boundaries, even the freaking out will refine us. It'll show us what we need to let go of and provide an opportunity for us to receive good stuff in return.
It'll keep us from being critical. It'll provide us with empathy.
Gates – those things that let the bad out and the good in – when working well, allow us to help the oppressed without becoming oppressive.
Recommended reading: 2 Samuel 16-18
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