LOG

Ever had somebody try to get something out of your eye?

I have.  Super awkward.

'First take the log out of your own eye and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.'  (Matthew 7:5)

This is far deeper than most of us have realized.  Jesus isn't just saying to watch yourself and not be so quick to criticize.  It's way bigger.  He says remove the log from your own eye first ---- so you can see clearly to help your brother.

That's so huge.

So if someone was trying to get something out of your eye, what would you want them to be - besides a doctor?

You'd want them to be gentle -- and you'd want them to be careful.

See what Jesus is doing there?  You have to sometimes judge within relationships - you have to - but you have to be careful.  And you have to be gentle.

'You have to be careful.  And you have to be gentle.'

Do you know what else I want people to be when they're trying to get something out of my eye?  I want them to be thorough.  Get it all the first time.  Don't keep digging around in there.  Be careful -- and be gentle -- but get it all.

And what happens when you aren't careful?  You only care about the problem and you forget about the comfort of the person.

What happens when you aren't thorough?  You have to have the conversation again next week.

The motivation is healing and restoration -- but we begin by searching our own hearts first.  Then we can lovingly and carefully and humbly and gently turn around and help someone else.

This is the way of the Kingdom of Christ.

And be blessed.